Lighting device including solid state emitters with adjustable control

ABSTRACT

Lighting devices and methods utilize multiple independently controllable groups of solid state light emitters of different dominant wavelengths, with operation of the emitter groups being automatically adjusted by processor(s) to provide desired illumination. Operation of the emitter groups may be further affected by sensors and/or user input commands (e.g., sound patterns, gesture patterns, or signal transmission). Operation may be adjusted to compensate for presence, absence, intensity, and/or color point of ambient or incident light. Presence of five or more groups of solid state light emitters provide desirable luminous flux, color point, correlated color temperature (CCT), color rendering index (CRI), CRI R 9 , and luminous efficacy characteristics of aggregate emissions over a wide range of CCT values, and may permit adjustment of vividness (e.g., relative gamut) and/or melatonin suppression characteristics for a selected color point or CCT.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/174,474 filed on Jun. 11, 2015, with the foregoing applicationbeing hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Subject matter herein relates to lighting devices, including deviceswith emitters or groups of solid state light emitters being controllableto provide desired effects, and relates to associated methods of makingand using such devices.

BACKGROUND

Combining light sources of different spectra permit lighting devices toemit a light spectrum of almost any desired energy content. For example,red light can be combined with unsaturated green light to yield a lightspectrum that renders colors similar to daylight or similar toincandescence depending on the amount of accompanying blue light. Usingred, green, and blue light sources, colors from such sources can becombined in any proportion to yield any aggregate color within the gamutof colors.

Color is the visual effect that is caused by the spectral composition ofthe light emitted, transmitted, or reflected by objects. Human vision isprimarily related to color and brightness (contrast) of the lightsource, and (if reflected light is present) the spectrum that isreflected from an object being illuminated.

As a heated object becomes incandescent, it first glows reddish, thenyellowish, then white, and finally bluish. Thus, apparent colors ofincandescing materials are directly related to their actual temperatures(in Kelvin (K)). Practical materials that incandesce are said to havecorrelated color temperature (CCT) values that are directly related tocolor temperatures of blackbody sources. CCT is measured in Kelvin (K)and has been defined (e.g., by the Illuminating Engineering Society ofNorth America (IESNA)) as “the absolute temperature of a blackbody whosechromaticity most nearly resembles that of the light source.” Lighthaving a CCT below 3200K is yellowish white in character and isgenerally considered to be warm white light, whereas light having a CCTbetween 3200K and 4000K is generally considered to be neutral whitelight, and light having a CCT above 4000K is bluish white in characterand generally considered to be cool white light.

Aspects relating to the present disclosure may be better understood withreference to the 1931 CIE (Commission International de l'Eclairage)Chromaticity Diagram, which maps out human color perception in terms oftwo CIE parameters x and y. The 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram isreproduced at FIG. 1. The spectral colors are distributed around theedge of the outlined space, which includes all of the hues perceived bythe human eye. The boundary line represents maximum saturation for thespectral colors. The chromaticity coordinates (i.e., color points) thatlie along the blackbody locus (“BBL”) obey Planck's equation: E(λ)=Aλ⁻⁵/(e^(B/T)−1) where E is the emission intensity, λ is the emissionwavelength, T the color temperature of the blackbody, and A and B areconstants.

Quality artificial lighting generally attempts to emulate thecharacteristics of natural light. Natural light sources include daylightwith a relatively high CCT (e.g., ˜5000K) and incandescent lamps with alower CCT (e.g., ˜2800K).

Solid state light emitters such as LEDs typically emit narrow wavelengthbands. Such emitters include or can be used in combination withlumiphoric materials (also known as lumiphors, with examples includingphosphors, scintillators, and lumiphoric inks) that absorb a portion ofemissions having a first peak wavelength emitted by the emitter andre-emit light having a second peak wavelength that differs from thefirst peak wavelength.

Light perceived as white or near-white may be generated by a combinationof red, green, and blue (“RGB”) emitters, or, alternatively, by combinedemissions of a blue LED and a lumiphor such as a yellow phosphor (e.g.,YAG:Ce or Ce:YAG). In the latter case, a portion of the blue LEDemissions passes through the phosphor, while another portion of the blueemissions is downconverted to yellow, and the blue and yellow light incombination are perceived as white.

Depending on the combination of LEDs and/or lumiphors used, aggregateemissions of a solid state device may be under-saturated with certaincolors of the spectrum or oversaturated with certain colors.

Color reproduction is commonly measured using Color Rendering Index(CRI) or average Color Rendering Index (CRI Ra). To calculate CRI, thecolor appearance of 14 reflective samples is simulated when illuminatedby a reference radiator (illuminant) and the test source. The general oraverage color rendering index CRI Ra is a modified average utilizing thefirst eight indices, all of which are pastel colored with low tomoderate chromatic saturation. (R9 is one of six saturated test colorsnot used in calculating CRI, with R9 embodying a large red content.) CRIand CRI Ra are used to determine how closely an artificial light sourcematches the color rendering of a natural light source at the same CCT.Daylight has a high CRI Ra (approximately 100), with incandescent bulbsalso being relatively close (CRI Ra greater than 95), and fluorescentlighting being less accurate (with typical CRI Ra values ofapproximately 70-80).

CRI Ra (or CRI) alone is not a satisfactory measure of the benefit of alight source, since it confers little ability to predict colordiscrimination (i.e., to perceive subtle difference in hue) or colorpreference. There appears to be a natural human attraction to brightercolor. Daylight provides a spectrum of light that allows the human eyeto perceive bright and vivid colors, which allows objects to bedistinguished even with subtle color shade differences. Accordingly, itis generally recognized that daylight and blackbody sources are superiorto many artificial light sources for emphasizing and distinguishingcolor. The ability of human vision to differentiate color is differentunder CCT conditions providing the same CRI Ra. Such differentiation isproportional to the gamut of the illuminating light.

Gamut area of a light source can be calculated as the area enclosedwithin a polygon defined by the chromaticities in CIE 1976 u′v′ colorspace of the eight color chips used to calculate CRI Ra when illuminatedby a test light source. Gamut area index (GAI) is a convenient way ofcharacterizing in chromaticity space how saturated the illuminationmakes objects appear—with a larger GAI making object colors appear moresaturated. GAI is a relative number whereby an imaginary equal-energyspectrum (wherein radiant power is equal at all wavelengths) is scoredas 100. GAI for a test source is determined by comparing color spacearea of the light being tested to the color space area produced by theimaginary or theoretical equal-energy spectrum (EES) source. Unlike CRIRa (or CRI), which has a maximum value of 100, GAI can exceed 100,meaning that some sources saturate colors more than an equal-energysource serves to saturate color.

It is found that typical blackbody-like light sources and typicaldaylight-like light sources have different gamut areas. Low CCT sources(e.g., incandescent emitters) have a GAI of approximately 50% (i.e.,about half the gamut area of the EES source). Sources with higher CCTvalues have a larger GAI. For example, a very bluish light with a CCT of10000K may have a GAI of 140%.

Another way of characterizing how saturated an illuminant makes objectsappear is relative gamut area, or “Qg” (also referred to as “ColorQuality Scale Qg” or “CQS Qg”), which is the area formed by (a*, b*)coordinates of the 15 test-color samples in CIELAB normalized by thegamut area of a reference illuminant at the same CCT and multiplied by100. In a manner similar to GAI, Qg values can exceed 100; however, Qgvalues are scaled for consistency relative to CCT. Because of chromaticadaptation, and because CCT is selected to set the overall color tone ofan environment as part of the lighting design process,variable-reference measures such as Qg may be especially relevant toapplied lighting design. If the relative gamut is greater than that ofthe reference, and if illuminance is lower than that provided bydaylight, then an increase in preference and discrimination might beexpected relative to the reference at that same CCT. Conversely, if therelative gamut is smaller than that of the reference, then a decrease inpreference and discrimination might be expected relative to thereference at the same CCT.

It is believed that, in at least certain contexts, some consumers mayprefer light sources with significantly enhanced vividness. It may bechallenging to provide enhanced vividness in combination with highluminous efficacy, and further in combination with reasonably high colorrendering index values.

It is important that lighting be of appropriate intensity for the taskat hand and also have appropriate color rendering characteristics. Formost daytime tasks, light sources (whether artificial or natural) shouldhave high intensity and high color rendering. Conversely, for sleeping,light should have very low levels. The color differentiation of nightvision is very low.

Light affects human circadian rhythms. Human physiology respondsnon-visually to the presence or absence of certain wavelengths. Forexample, blue light is known to suppress melatonin, and ultraviolet raysare known to damage the skin. The intensity of light and the spectralcontent of light have a strong effect on the human circadian rhythms.These circadian rhythms are ideally synchronized with the natural light.

Circadian rhythm disorders may be associated with change in nocturnalactivity (e.g., nighttime shift workers), change in longitude (e.g., jetlag), and/or seasonal change in light duration (e.g., seasonal affectivedisorder, with symptoms including depression). In 2007, the World HealthOrganization named late night shift work as a probable cancer-causingagent. Melatonin is an anti-oxidant and suppressant of tumordevelopment; accordingly, interference with melatonin levels mayincrease the likelihood of developing cancer. Methods involving stimuliwith artificial light sources to modify the phase and amplitude of ahuman circadian cycle (e.g., for cycle resetting) have been developed,such as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2006/0106437A1 to Czeisler et al.

Artificial light sometimes includes too much blue light in the evening,which suppresses melatonin and hinders restful sleep. Exposure toartificial light during the night may inhibit a person from falling tosleep or returning to sleep, and may also cause a temporary loss ofnight vision. It is principally blue light (e.g., including blue lightat a peak wavelength value between 460 to 480 nm, with some activityfrom about 360 nm to about 600 nm), that suppresses melatonin andsynchronizes the circadian clock, proportional to the light intensityand length of exposure. As shown in FIG. 2, the action spectrum formelatonin suppression (with six individual data points represented asblack squares) shows short-wavelength sensitivity that is very differentfrom the known spectral sensitivity of the scotopic response curve(represented with a solid line) and photopic response curve (representedwith a dashed line).

Natural light varies with respect to intensity and/or CCT depending onseason, latitude, altitude, time of day, and weather conditions. Naturallight also varies each day with respect to intensity and CCT. Thechanging CCT of sunlight over the course of a day is mainly a result ofscattering of light, rather than changes in black-body radiation.Ignoring variations due to weather conditions, natural light intensitytypically is low at sunrise, increases through mid-morning to a highlevel at mid-day, and then decreases in mid-afternoon to evening to alow level at sunset. CCT also varies in a predicable manner. Duringsunrise and sunset, CCT tends to be around 2,000K; an intermediate CCTvalue of around 3,500K is exhibited shortly after sunrise or beforesunset (when daylight is redder and softer compared to when the Sun ishigher in the sky); and a CCT of around 5,400K is exhibited aroundnoontime. Color temperatures for various daylight sources are tabulatedin FIG. 3. Low (or warm) CCT values are consistent with reduced bluecontent, while higher (or cool) CCT values are consistent with increasedblue content.

Generally, a light that is dim and exhibits a low (warm) CCT promotesrestfulness (e.g., such as may be desirable in the evening and nightbefore sleep), and a light that is bright and exhibits a high (cool) CCTpromotes alertness (such as may be desirable in the morning and duringthe day). A light having a very low intensity and a very low CCT wouldleast interfere with a person returning to sleep after being awakened inthe middle of the night.

Color changing lights are known in the art. One example of a colorchanging light bulb is the Philips “Hue” bulb (Koninklijke Philips N.V.,Eindhoven, the Netherlands), which is understood to include an array ofred LEDs, blue LEDs, and blue shifted green LEDs (each including a blueLED arranged to stimulate emissions of a green phosphor to provide verysaturated green color). Such bulbs permit different colors, CCTs, and/orintensities of light to be selected by a user via a computer or portableelectronic device.

Despite the availability of color changing lamps, such lamps havelimitations that inhibit their utility. It can be difficult for users toprogram and/or operate lighting devices to obtain desired illuminationconditions that take into account temporal variations in natural light.Avoiding potential interference with circadian rhythms without undulysacrificing perceived light quality is another concern. It can also bedifficult to provide vivid illumination in combination with high colorrendering at a desired color point. Still another concern includesmaintaining high luminous efficacy over a variety of illuminationconditions. Additional concerns include ease of control by one or moreusers. It can also be difficult for users to program lighting devices toobtain desired illumination conditions that take into account variationsin natural light that may be attributable to multiple factors such asthe season, latitude, time of day, and weather conditions.

The art continues to seek improved lighting devices and methods thataddress limitations of conventional lighting devices and methods.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to lighting devices and lighting methodsutilizing multiple independently controllable groups of solid statelight emitters of different dominant wavelengths, with operation of thegroups of solid state light emitters being automatically adjusted by atleast one processor to provide desired illumination, and (in at leastcertain embodiments) with operation of the groups of solid state lightemitters subject to being further affected by sensors and/or user inputcommands (e.g., user-generated sound patterns, user-generated gesturepatterns, or user-initiated signal transmission (wired or wireless)). Incertain embodiments, a lighting device may be adjusted to compensate forpresence, absence, intensity, and/or color point of ambient or incidentlight. Presence of at least five groups of solid state light emittersmay provide desirable luminous flux, color point, correlated colortemperature (CCT), color rendering index (CRI), CRI R9, and luminousefficacy characteristics of aggregate emissions over a wide range of CCTvalues, and may also permit adjustment of vividness (e.g., Qg) and/ormelatonin suppression characteristics for a selected color point or CCTof aggregate emissions. A lighting device including a first transceiverarranged to communicate with a digital communication device or a digitalcomputing device and including a second transceiver arranged tocommunicate with other lighting devices is also provided. Methodsfacilitating control of a lighting device are additionally provided.

In one aspect, a solid state lighting device includes a plurality ofgroups of solid state light emitters, at least one sensor, a memory, atleast one detector, and at least one processor. Each group of solidstate light emitters is arranged to generate emissions comprising adominant wavelength that differs from a dominant wavelength of emissionsgenerated by each other group of solid state light emitters. Each groupof solid state light emitters is independently controllable, andemissions generated by each group of solid state light emitters arearranged to be combined to produce aggregate emissions of the lightingdevice. The at least one sensor is arranged to receive or provide atleast one signal indicative of an environmental condition. The memory isarranged to store at least one operating instruction set. The at leastone detector is arranged to detect one or more of (i) multiple differentuser-generated sound patterns indicative of user commands, (ii) multipledifferent user-generated gesture patterns indicative of user commands,and (iii) at least one user-initiated signal (e.g., wired or wireless),and produce at least one detector output signal responsive to suchdetection. The at least one processor is arranged to utilize the atleast one operating instruction set to automatically adjust at differenthours of a calendar day (a) luminous flux of the aggregate emissions and(b) at least one of correlated color temperature and color point of theaggregate emissions, responsive to at least one of (i) time and (ii) theat least one signal indicative of an environmental condition. The atleast one processor is further arranged to suspend or alter automaticadjustment of (a) luminous flux of the aggregate emissions and (b) atleast one of correlated color temperature and color point of theaggregate emissions, responsive to the at least one detector outputsignal. In certain embodiments, at least five groups of solid statelight emitters are provided. In certain embodiments, the at least oneprocessor is arranged to adjust, responsive to the at least one detectoroutput signal and for a selected color point or correlated colortemperature of the aggregated emissions, at least one of (c) melatoninsuppressing milliwatts per hundred lumens of the aggregate emissions and(d) relative gamut of the aggregate emissions. In certain embodiments,the at least one sensor arranged to receive or provide at least onesignal indicative of an environmental condition is arranged to sense oneor more of: humidity, air pressure, ambient sound, gas concentration,presence or absence of gas, particulate concentration, presence orabsence of particulates, temperature, cloud cover, outdoor ambienttemperature, outdoor ambient light level, outdoor CCT, presence ofprecipitation, type of precipitation, UV index, solar radiation index,moon phase, moonlight light level, presence of aurora, and chill factor.In certain embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises an ambientlight sensor, an image sensor, a temperature sensor, a barometricpressure sensor, a humidity sensor, a weather information receiver, agas detector, and a particulate detector.

In another aspect, a solid state lighting device comprises: a pluralityof groups of solid state light emitters, wherein each group of solidstate light emitters is arranged to generate emissions comprising adominant wavelength that differs from a dominant wavelength of emissionsgenerated by each other group of solid state light emitters, each groupof solid state light emitters is independently controllable, whereinemissions generated by each group of solid state light emitters arearranged to be combined to produce aggregate emissions of the lightingdevice, and wherein the plurality of groups includes at least fivegroups of solid state light emitters; at least one sensor arranged toreceive or provide at least one signal indicative of an environmentalcondition; a memory storing at least one operating instruction set; andat least one processor arranged to utilize the at least one operatinginstruction set to automatically adjust at different hours of a calendarday (a) luminous flux of the aggregate emissions and (b) at least one ofcorrelated color temperature and color point of the aggregate emissions,responsive to at least one of (i) time and (ii) the at least one signalindicative of an environmental condition; wherein the aggregateemissions generated by the lighting device comprise at least two of thefollowing characteristics (A) to (D): (A) a CRI value of at least 90 anda Qg value of at least 100 over a correlated color temperature rangespanning at least from 2700K to 9000K; (B) a CRI R9 value of at least 80over a correlated color temperature range spanning at least from 2700Kto 9000K; (C) a luminous flux value of at least 600 over a correlatedcolor temperature range spanning at least from 2700K to 9000K; and (D) aluminous efficacy of radiation value of at least 300 over a correlatedcolor temperature range spanning at least from 2700K to 5700K.

In certain embodiments, a solid state lighting device comprises: aplurality of groups of solid state light emitters, wherein each group ofsolid state light emitters is arranged to generate emissions comprisinga dominant wavelength that differs from a dominant wavelength ofemissions generated by each other group of solid state light emitters,each group of solid state light emitters is independently controllable,emissions generated by each group of solid state light emitters arearranged to be combined to produce aggregate emissions of the lightingdevice, and the plurality of groups includes at least five groups ofsolid state light emitters; a memory storing at least one operatinginstruction set; and at least one processor arranged to utilize the atleast one operating instruction set to automatically adjust (a) luminousflux of the aggregate emissions and (b) at least one of correlated colortemperature and color point of the aggregate emissions; and a firstwireless transceiver arranged to receive at least one signal from adigital communication device or a digital computing device; wherein theat least one processor is arranged to adjust, responsive to the receivedat least one signal and for a selected color point or correlated colortemperature of the aggregated emissions, at least one of (c) melatoninsuppressing milliwatts per hundred lumens of the aggregate emissions and(d) relative gamut of the aggregate emissions.

In another aspect, a solid state lighting device comprises: a pluralityof groups of solid state light emitters, wherein each group of solidstate light emitters is arranged to generate emissions comprising adominant wavelength that differs from a dominant wavelength of emissionsgenerated by each other group of solid state light emitters, each groupof solid state light emitters is independently controllable, andemissions generated by each group of solid state light emitters arearranged to be combined to produce aggregate emissions of the lightingdevice; a first wireless transceiver arranged to communicate with adigital communication device or a digital computing device; a secondwireless transceiver arranged to communicate with at least one othersolid state lighting device; a memory arranged to store at least oneoperating instruction set; and at least one processor arranged toutilize the at least one operating instruction set to automaticallyadjust at different hours of a calendar day (a) luminous flux of theaggregate emissions and (b) at least one of correlated color temperatureand color point of the aggregate emissions; wherein the first wirelesstransceiver is arranged to receive at least one first signal from adigital communication device or a digital computing device to select ormodify the at least one operating instruction set; wherein the secondwireless transceiver is arranged to transmit at least one second signalto the at least one other solid state lighting device indicative of orincluding a selected or modified at least one instruction set that wasselected or modified responsive to the at least one first signal.

In another aspect, a solid state lighting device comprises: a pluralityof groups of solid state light emitters, wherein each group of solidstate light emitters is arranged to generate emissions comprising adominant wavelength that differs from a dominant wavelength of emissionsgenerated by each other group of solid state light emitters, each groupof solid state light emitters is independently controllable, andemissions generated by each group of solid state light emitters arearranged to be combined to produce aggregate emissions of the lightingdevice; at least one sensor arranged to receive or provide at least onesignal indicative of an environmental condition; a memory storing atleast one operating instruction set; at least one processor arranged toutilize the at least one operating instruction set to automaticallyadjust (a) luminous flux of the aggregate emissions and (b) at least oneof correlated color temperature and color point of the aggregateemissions, responsive to the at least one signal indicative of anenvironmental condition; and a body structure, wherein the plurality ofgroups of solid state light emitters, the memory, and the at least oneprocessor are arranged in or on the body structure.

In another aspect, a solid state lighting device comprises: a bodystructure, a reprogrammable memory, at least one processor, a pluralityof solid state light emitters, and a communication interface, wherein:emissions generated by the solid state light emitters are arranged to becombined to produce aggregate emissions of the lighting device; thememory is arranged to store a plurality of selectable algorithms eachincluding different instructions for controlling operation of theplurality of solid state light emitters; the at least one processor isin electrical communication with the memory and is arranged to executesteps of at least one algorithm of the plurality of selectablealgorithms; the communication interface is arranged to receive anadditional algorithm including instructions for controlling operation ofthe plurality of solid state light emitters; and the memory is arrangedto store the additional algorithm received from the communicationinterface to permit the at least one processor to execute steps of theadditional algorithm for controlling operation of the lighting device.In certain embodiments, the communication interface comprises a wirelessreceiver or a wireless transceiver, and the wireless receiver or thewireless transceiver is arranged to receive the additional algorithmwirelessly from a digital communication device or a digital computingdevice.

In another aspect, a method facilitates control of a lighting devicethat comprises a memory and a plurality of groups of solid state lightemitters, wherein each group of solid state light emitters is arrangedto generate emissions comprising a dominant wavelength that differs froma dominant wavelength of emissions generated by each other group ofsolid state light emitters, each group of solid state light emitters isindependently controllable, and emissions generated by each group ofsolid state light emitters are arranged to be combined to produceaggregate emissions of the lighting device, the method comprising:detecting usage of the lighting device; storing, in the memory of thelighting device, information regarding detected usage of the lightingdevice, wherein the stored information includes information indicativeof color point and luminous flux of aggregate emissions with respect totime; analyzing the stored information to identify one or more temporalpatterns of usage of the lighting device; generating a proposedoperating instruction set responsive to the identification of one ormore temporal patterns of usage; and adjusting operation of theplurality of groups of solid state light emitters utilizing the proposedoperating instruction set.

In another aspect, a method facilitates control of a lighting devicethat comprises a body structure, a memory, a processor, and a pluralityof solid state light emitters, wherein the memory, the processor, andthe plurality of solid state light emitters are arranged in or on thebody structure; the memory is arranged to store a plurality ofselectable algorithms arranged to enable different control of operationthe plurality of solid state light emitters; the processor is arrangedto execute steps of at least one algorithm of the plurality ofselectable algorithms; and emissions generated by the solid state lightemitters are arranged to be combined to produce aggregate emissions ofthe lighting device, the method comprising: downloading or retrievingfrom a communication network an additional selectable algorithm arrangedto enable control of operation of the plurality of solid state lightemitters; and saving the additional selectable algorithm in the memoryof the lighting device while maintaining in the memory at least oneother selectable algorithm.

In certain embodiments, a light bulb or light fixture may include atleast one lighting device as disclosed herein.

In certain embodiments, a lighting system may include multiple lightingdevices as disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, multiple lightingdevices as disclosed herein may be arranged to communicate wirelesslywith one another.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method comprisingilluminating an object, a space, or an environment, utilizing a solidstate lighting device as described herein.

In another aspect, any of the foregoing aspects, and/or various separateaspects and features as described herein, may be combined for additionaladvantage. Any of the various features and elements as disclosed hereinmay be combined with one or more other disclosed features and elementsunless indicated to the contrary herein.

Other aspects, features, and embodiments of the invention will be morefully apparent from the ensuing disclosure and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram including representation ofthe blackbody locus, and further illustrating an approximately whitearea bounding the blackbody locus.

FIG. 2 is a line chart showing superimposed plots of the visible lightportion of the melatonin action spectrum (at left), the scotopicresponse curve (at center), and the photopic response curve (at right),depicting % relative sensitivity as a function of wavelength.

FIG. 3 is a table providing CCT values for various daylight sources.

FIG. 4A is a schematic illustrating five groups (strings) of lightemitting diodes (LEDs) separately arranged to emit short wavelengthblue, red, long wavelength blue (or cyan), green, and white (orblue-shifted yellow) light.

FIG. 4B illustrates a LED module including five groups of LEDs arrangedin a two-dimensional array and mounted to a substrate, wherein thegroups of LEDs are separately arranged to emit short wavelength blue,red, long wavelength blue (or cyan), green, and white (or blue-shiftedyellow) light.

FIG. 5A is a table including values for the melatonin action spectrum(relative units) and corresponding wavelengths.

FIG. 5B is a line chart for melatonin action spectrum showing the valuesdepicted in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a table including correlated color temperature (CCT), colorrendering index (CRI), and melatonin suppressing milliwatts per 100lumens values for various light sources.

FIG. 7 is a plot of melatonin suppressing milliwatts per 100 lumensversus CCT obtained by modeling a solid state light source including ablue LED arranged to stimulate emissions of a yellow lumiphor incombination with a red LED, showing increasing milliwatts per 100 lumenswith increasing CCT.

FIG. 8 is a table identifying, for different times of day, ambientlight, desired aptitude, and possible artificial light intensity levelsand CCT values that may promote wellness when used with lighting devicesand systems according to at least certain embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an overlay plot of possible CCT values and luminous flux(brightness) values as a function of time of day that may promotewellness when used with lighting devices and systems according to atleast certain embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 10A-10B embody a table identifying event name, system status,action, time, CCT, and brightness settings for an algorithm includinginstructions for operating a lighting device or lighting systemaccording to one embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11A is a table identifying emitter control step (within a range offrom 0 to 255), brightness setting, luminous efficacy, CRI, relativegamut area (Qg), maximum lumens, gamut area index (GAI), and colorquality scale (CQS) values for a lighting device including five groupsof LEDs (red, blue-shifted yellow (white), green, long wavelength blueor cyan, and short wavelength blue) operated at sixteen different CCTvalues according to a “High CRI” setting or instruction set.

FIG. 11B is an overlay plot of control step versus CCT for each of thefive groups of LEDs of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12A is a table identifying emitter control step (within a range offrom 0 to 255), brightness setting, luminous efficacy, CRI, Qg, maximumlumens, GAI, and CQS values for a lighting device including five groupsof LEDs (red, blue-shifted yellow (white), green, long wavelength blueor cyan, and short wavelength blue) operated at sixteen different CCTvalues according to a “Vibrant” setting or instruction set.

FIG. 12B is an overlay plot of control step versus CCT for each of thefive groups of LEDs of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13A is a table identifying emitter control step (within a range offrom 0 to 255), brightness setting, luminous efficacy, CRI, Qg, maximumlumens, GAI, and CQS values for a lighting device including five groupsof LEDs (red, blue-shifted yellow (white), green, long wavelength blueor cyan, and short wavelength blue) operated at ten different CCT valuesaccording to a “Very Vibrant” setting or instruction set.

FIG. 13B is an overlay plot of control step versus CCT for each of thefive groups of LEDs of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14A is a table identifying emitter control step (within a range offrom 0 to 255), brightness setting, luminous efficacy, CRI, Qg, maximumlumens, GAI, and CQS values for a lighting device including five groupsof LEDs (red, blue-shifted yellow (white), green, long wavelength blueor cyan, and short wavelength blue) operated at eleven different CCTvalues according to a “Dull” or “Less Vibrant” setting or instructionset.

FIG. 14B is an overlay plot of control step versus CCT for each of thefive groups of LEDs of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a lighting system according to oneembodiment of the disclosure in which at least one lighting device isconfigured to bidirectionally communicate with at least one otherlighting device as well as to communicate with a digital communicationdevice or a digital computing device.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram identifying interconnections between variouselements of a lighting device that is arranged to independently controlfive different groups of LEDs according to one embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram for various elements of a lighting devicearranged to independently control five different groups of LEDsaccording to one embodiment of the disclosure, with the circuit diagramincluding a processing/communication module and five driver modules.

FIG. 17A is a magnified first portion of the circuit diagram of FIG. 17,including processing and communication module elements.

FIGS. 17B-17F include magnified second through sixth portions of thecircuit diagram of FIG. 17, each including a driver module for driving adifferent group of LEDs.

FIG. 17G is a magnified seventh portion of the circuit diagram of FIG.17, including five different groups (strings) of LEDs.

FIG. 18A is a first portion of a circuit diagram, including processingand communication elements, of a lighting device arranged toindependently control five different groups of LEDs according to oneembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 18B is a second portion of a circuit diagram including voicerecognition elements arranged to operate in conjunction with the circuitelements of FIG. 18A for control of the lighting device.

FIG. 18C is a third portion of a circuit diagram including multipledriver modules arranged to operate in conjunction with the circuitelements of FIGS. 18A-18B for control of the lighting device.

FIG. 18D is a fourth portion of a circuit diagram including AC-DC powerconversion elements arranged to operate in conjunction with the circuitelements of FIGS. 18A-18C for control of the lighting device.

FIG. 19 is a table identifying emitter control step (within a range offrom 0 to 255), aggregate lumens, color rendering index (CRI), colorquality scale (CQS), relative gamut area (Qg), gamut area index (GAI),luminous efficacy of radiation (LER), and CRI R9 for a lighting deviceaccording to one embodiment of the disclosure including five groups ofLEDs operated at sixteen different CCT values according to aninstruction set arranged to simultaneously achieve high CRI (at least90) and high Qg (exceeding 100) for multiple CCT values spanning from2300K to 9300K. Aggregate lumens in a range of from 650-700 lumens wereobtained from 2700K to 9300K.

FIG. 20A is a photograph of a LED module including five groups of LEDsarranged in a two-dimensional array and mounted to a substrate coatedwith a light-reflective material, with the LED module being mountedalong an outwardly-facing surface of a body portion of a lighting deviceembodied in a cylindrical downlight intended for in-ceiling mounting.

FIG. 20B is a photograph of a first circuit board including drivermodules arranged for use with the LED module of the lighting device ofFIG. 20A, with the first circuit board arranged to be mounted along aninwardly facing surface of a body portion of the lighting device.

FIG. 20C is a photograph of a second circuit board including controlelements arranged for use with the first circuit board and the LEDmodule of FIGS. 20A-20B, with the second circuit board overlying thefirst circuit board.

FIG. 20D is a photograph of a lighting device including the LED module,body portion, first circuit board, and second circuit board depicted inFIGS. 20A-20C, with the lighting device being in a state of operationand emitting light.

FIG. 21A is a table providing control step (in a range of from 0-255), xcolor coordinate, y color coordinate, dominant wavelength, peakwavelength, center wavelength, CCT, full width-half maximum, radiantflux (Watts) per control step, lumens per control step, radiant flux(Watts), percent radiant flux, lumens, percent lumens, and luminousefficacy of radiation for a five groups of LEDs (red, blue-shiftedyellow, green, long wavelength blue or cyan, and short wavelength blue)of a lighting device with each group operated at maximum current.

FIG. 21B is an overlay plot of spectral power distribution (intensityversus wavelength) for the five groups of LEDs of the lighting device ofFIG. 21A when operated at maximum current, with a plot of spectral powerdistribution diagram for aggregate emissions of the lighting device.

FIG. 21C is a CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram showing the blackbody locus,overlaid with a line of minimum tint (or “white body line”), with firstthrough fifth color points corresponding to outputs of the five groupsof LEDs of the lighting device of FIGS. 21A-21B, and with a compositecolor point for aggregate emissions of the five groups of LEDs.

FIG. 22 is an excerpt of a CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram showing theblackbody locus and including a line of minimum tint (or “white bodyline”) extending between CCT values of from 2700K to 6500K.

FIG. 23A is a side elevation view of a lighting device according to oneembodiment of the disclosure embodied in a substantially cylindricaldownlight intended for in-ceiling mounting and including multiple (e.g.,five or more) separately controllable groups of LEDs.

FIG. 23B is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device of FIG. 23A.

FIG. 23C is an upper perspective view of the lighting device of FIGS.23A-23B.

FIG. 23D is a lower perspective view of the lighting device of FIGS.23A-23C.

FIG. 24A is a rear elevation view of a lighting device according to oneembodiment of the disclosure embodied in a substantially cylindricaltrack light fixture intended to be supported by a wall- orceiling-mounted track and including multiple (e.g., five or more)separately controllable groups of LEDs.

FIG. 24B is a front perspective view of the lighting device of FIG. 24A.

FIG. 24C is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device of FIGS.24A-24B.

FIG. 25A is an upper perspective view of a light bulb including multiple(e.g., five or more) separately controllable groups of LEDs arranged ina two-dimensional array according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 25B is a side elevation view of the light bulb of FIG. 25A.

FIG. 25C is a first side cross-sectional view of the light bulb of FIGS.25A-25B.

FIG. 25D is a top plan view of the light bulb of FIGS. 25A-25C.

FIG. 25E is a second cross-sectional view of the light bulb of FIGS.25A-25D.

FIG. 26A is an upper perspective view of a light bulb including multiple(e.g., five or more) separately controllable groups of LEDs arranged onfive non-coplanar emitter support surfaces according to one embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 26B is a side elevation view of the light bulb of FIG. 26A.

FIG. 26C is a first side cross-sectional view of the light bulb of FIGS.26A-26B.

FIG. 26D is a top plan view of the light bulb of FIGS. 26A-26C.

FIG. 26E is a second side cross-sectional view of the light bulb ofFIGS. 26A-26D.

FIG. 27A is a first side elevation view of a light bulb includingmultiple (e.g., five or more) separately controllable groups of LEDsarranged on six non-coplanar support surfaces each arranged generallyparallel to a longitudinal axis of the light bulb according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 27B is a first side cross-sectional view of the light bulb of FIG.27A.

FIG. 27C is a second side elevation view of the light bulb of FIGS. 27Aand 27B.

FIG. 27D is a top plan view of the light bulb of FIGS. 27A-27C.

FIG. 27E is a second side cross-sectional view of the light bulb ofFIGS. 27A-27D.

FIG. 28A is a cross-sectional perspective view of a troffer-basedlighting fixture according to one embodiment of the disclosure,illustrating how light emanates from emitters of the light fixture andis reflected to be transmitted through lenses of the lighting fixture.

FIG. 28B illustrates a processing/control module provided in anelectronics housing of the lighting fixture of FIG. 28A and acommunication module in an associated housing coupled to the exterior ofthe electronics housing according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 29A is an upper perspective view of a lighting device according toone embodiment of the disclosure embodied in a track light fixtureintended to be supported by a wall- or ceiling-mounted track andarranged in a first position.

FIG. 29B is a lower perspective view of the lighting device of FIG. 29Ain the first position.

FIG. 29C is a rear perspective view of the lighting device of FIGS. 29Aand 29B in a second position, with a generally cylindrical light housingpivoted relative to a driver box.

FIG. 29D is a side elevation view of the lighting device of FIGS.29A-29C in the first position.

FIG. 29E is a top plan view of the lighting device of FIGS. 29A-29D inthe first position.

FIG. 29F is a bottom plan view of the lighting device of FIGS. 29A-29Ein the first position.

FIG. 29G is a front elevation view of the lighting device of FIGS.29A-29F in the first position.

FIG. 29H is a side cross-sectional view of the lighting device of FIGS.29A-29G in the first position, taken along section line A-A shown inFIG. 29G.

FIG. 30 is a line chart of lumens versus correlated color temperature(CCT) for emissions of a lighting device embodied in a track lightfixture according to FIGS. 29A-29H, including five different groups (orstrings) of LEDs (namely, short wavelength blue, red, cyan (or longwavelength blue), green, and white) when operated in a first (e.g.,“natural”) operating mode intended to promote high average ColorRendering Index (CRI Ra) values.

FIG. 31 is a line chart plotting each of relative gamut area (Qg),average Color Rendering Index (CRI Ra), and luminous efficacy (lumensper watt or LPW) versus correlated color temperature (CCT) for emissionsof a lighting device embodied in a track light fixture according toFIGS. 29A-29H, including five different groups (or strings) of LEDs(namely, short wavelength blue, red, cyan (or long wavelength blue),green, and white) when operated in the first operating mode intended topromote high color rendering (CRI Ra) values.

FIG. 32 is a line chart plotting lumens versus correlated colortemperature (CCT) for emissions of a lighting device embodied in a tracklight fixture according to FIGS. 29A-29H, including five differentgroups (or strings) of LEDs (namely, short wavelength blue, red, cyan(or long wavelength blue), green, and white) when operated in a second(e.g., “vivid”) operating mode intended to promote enhanced Qg values.

FIG. 33 is a line chart plotting each of relative gamut area (Qg),average Color Rendering Index (CRI Ra), and luminous efficacy (lumensper watt or LPW) versus correlated color temperature (CCT) for emissionsof a lighting device embodied in a track light fixture according toFIGS. 29A-29H, including five different groups (or strings) of LEDs(namely, short wavelength blue, red, cyan (or long wavelength blue),green, and white) when operated in the second operating mode intended topromote enhanced Qg values.

FIG. 34 is a line chart plotting lumens versus correlated colortemperature (CCT) for a lighting device embodied in a track lightfixture according to FIGS. 29A-29H according to three differentoperating modes, including a maximum possible brightness mode, a highaverage CRI Ra mode, and a high Qg mode, with comparison of a lumentarget specification and a minimum lumen specification.

FIG. 35 is line chart plotting luminous efficacy (lumens per watt orLPW) versus correlated color temperature (CCT) for a lighting deviceembodied in a track light fixture according to FIGS. 29A-29H accordingto three different operating modes, including a maximum possiblebrightness mode, a high average CRI Ra mode, and a high Qg mode, withcomparison of a lumen per watt target specification and a minimum lumenper watt specification.

FIG. 36 is a line chart plotting lumens versus correlated colortemperature (CCT) for emissions of a lighting device embodied in a tracklight fixture according to FIGS. 29A-29H, including five differentgroups (or strings) of LEDs (namely, short wavelength blue, red, cyan(or long wavelength blue), green, and white) when operated in a third(e.g., “highly vivid”) operating mode intended to promote furtherenhanced Qg values.

FIG. 37 is a line chart plotting each of relative gamut area (Qg),average Color Rendering Index (CRI Ra), and luminous efficacy (lumensper watt or LPW) versus correlated color temperature (CCT) for emissionsof a lighting device embodied in a track light fixture according toFIGS. 29A-29H, including five different groups (or strings) of LEDs(namely, short wavelength blue, red, cyan (or long wavelength blue),green, and white) when operated in the third operating mode intended topromote further enhanced Qg values.

FIG. 38A is a photograph of a portable digital communication devicedisplaying one screen of a “CREE Smart” user interface applicationarranged to control a lighting device as described herein according toone embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 38B is a photograph of a portable digital communication devicedisplaying another screen of a “CREE Smart” user interface applicationarranged to control a lighting device as described herein according toone embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted previously, the present disclosure relates to lighting devicesand lighting methods utilizing multiple independently controllablegroups of solid state light emitters of different dominant wavelengths,with operation of the groups of solid state light emitters beingautomatically adjusted by at least one processor to provide desiredillumination, and (in at least certain embodiments) with operation ofthe groups of solid state light emitters subject to being furtheraffected by sensors or user input commands (e.g., user-generated soundpatterns, user-generated gesture patterns, or user-initiated signaltransmission). Presence of at least five groups of solid state lightemitters may provide desirable relative gamut area (Qg(, color renderingindex (CRI), CRI R9, and luminous efficacy characteristics over a widerange of correlated color temperature (CCT) values, and may also permitadjustment of vividness (e.g., Qg) and/or melatonin suppressioncharacteristics for a selected color point or CCT of aggregateemissions. Further provided is a lighting device including a firsttransceiver arranged to communicate with a digital communication deviceor a digital computing device and including a second transceiverarranged to communicate with other lighting devices. Additionallyprovided is a lighting device including a reprogrammable memory arrangedto store multiple selectable algorithms each including differentinstructions useable by at least one processor for controlling operationof multiple solid state light emitters of the lighting device, wherein acommunication interface is arranged to receive an additional algorithmfor storage by the memory to permit the at least one processor toexecute steps of the additional algorithm for controlling operation ofthe lighting device. Still further provided is a method for facilitatingcontrol of a lighting device including detecting usage of the device,storing information regarding the detected usage, automaticallyanalyzing the stored information to identify temporal patterns of usage,and generating and using a modified set of operating instructions.

In certain embodiments, enhanced efficacy can be obtained by producingmore light in useful areas of the visible spectrum. In certainembodiments, more vivid and colorful representation of surfaces andobjects may be obtained. It has been found that enhanced colorsaturation renders objects more attractive to a majority of viewers. Incertain embodiments, enhanced color contrast may be obtained, conferringimproved discernibility between colors and legibility of objects. Incertain embodiments, aggregate emissions may be controlled to provideCRI values in a range of from 50 to 100 (or subranges thereof), and/orQg values in a range of from 50 to 150 (or subranges thereof).

Further disclosed herein are lighting devices and lighting systemsarranged to receive or determine information indicative of geospatial orgeographic location (and optionally additional information such as time,time zone, and/or date) and automatically adjust one or more lightoutput parameters based at least in part on such information to operateone or more electrically activated emitters differently on differentdays of a year. At least one signal indicative of or permittingderivation of geospatial position may be obtained or provided by atleast one element selected from (a) a user input element, (b) a signalreceiver, and (c) at least one sensor.

More specific aspects of the invention will be described after terms aredefined and general concepts are introduced.

The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information toenable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments andillustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading thefollowing description in light of the accompanying drawing figures,those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosureand will recognize applications of these concepts not particularlyaddressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts andapplications fall within the scope of the disclosure and theaccompanying claims.

Unless otherwise defined, terms used herein should be construed to havethe same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in theart to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood thatterms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of this specification andthe relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized oroverly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another. For example, a first element could be termed asecond element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a firstelement, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items.

Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or“horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationshipof one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region asillustrated in the figures. It will be understood that these terms andthose discussed above are intended to encompass different orientationsof the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. Unless the absence of one or more elements is specificallyrecited, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” as usedherein should be interpreted as open-ended terms that do not precludethe presence of one or more elements. As used herein, the phrase“arranged to” should be interpreted as synonymous with the phrase“configured to” and generally contemplates an intentional arrangement toachieve a stated purpose, result, or interaction.

The terms “solid state light emitter” or “solid state light emitter”(which may be qualified as being “electrically activated”) may include aLED, laser diode, organic light-emitting diode, and/or othersemiconductor device which includes one or more semiconductor layers,which may include silicon, silicon carbide, gallium nitride and/or othersemiconductor materials, a substrate which may include sapphire,silicon, silicon carbide and/or other microelectronic substrates, andone or more contact layers which may include metal and/or otherconductive materials.

The term “dominant wavelength” as used herein refers to the dominantwavelength at a reference condition used to classify LED die orindividual lamps, and in general it is different from the dominantwavelength that would be measured under luminaire operating conditionsof any particular embodiment.

Solid state light emitting devices according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure may include, but are not limited to, III-V nitridebased LED chips or laser chips fabricated on a silicon, silicon carbide,sapphire, or III-V nitride growth substrate, including (for example)devices manufactured and sold by Cree, Inc. of Durham, N.C. Solid statelight emitters may be used individually or in groups to emit one or morebeams to stimulate emissions of one or more lumiphoric materials (e.g.,phosphors, scintillators, lumiphoric inks, quantum dots, day glow tapes,etc.) to generate light at one or more peak wavelength(s), or of atleast one desired perceived color (including combinations of colors thatmay be perceived as white). Lumiphoric materials may be provided in theform of particles, films, or sheets. Quantum dot materials of variouscolors are commercially available from QD Vision, Inc. (Lexington,Mass., USA), Nanosys Inc. (Milpitas, Calif., USA), and NanocoTechnologies Ltd. (Manchester, United Kingdom), among others.

Inclusion of lumiphoric (also called “luminescent”) materials inlighting devices as described herein may be accomplished by any suitablemeans, including the following: direct coating on solid state lightemitters, dispersal in encapsulant materials arranged to cover solidstate light emitters, coating on lumiphor support elements (e.g., bypowder coating, inkjet printing, or the like), incorporation intodiffusers or lenses, and the like. Examples of lumiphoric materials aredisclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,600,175 and in U.S. PatentApplication Publication Nos. 2009/0184616 and 2012/0306355, and methodsfor coating light emitting elements with phosphors are disclosed in U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0179611, with the foregoingpublications being incorporated by reference. Examples of phosphors thatmay be used according to certain embodiments include, withoutlimitation, cerium(III)-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Ce:YAG orYAG:Ce); yttrium aluminum oxide doped with cerium yttrium aluminumgarnet (NYAG); lutetium aluminum garnet (LuAG), green aluminate (GAL,including but not limited to GAL535); (Sr,Ba,Ca)₂-xSiO₄:Eu_(x) (BOSE,including both BOSE yellow and BOSE green varieties, including forexample (Ba,Sr)₂SiO₄:Eu²⁺); and CASN (CaAlSiN₃:Eu²⁺).

The expressions “lighting device” and “light emitting device” as usedherein are not limited, except that such elements are capable ofemitting light. That is, a lighting device can be a device whichilluminates an area or volume, e.g., a structure, a swimming pool orspa, a room, a warehouse, an indicator, a road, a parking lot, or avehicle, signage, (e.g., road signs or a billboard), a ship, a toy, amirror, a vessel, an electronic device, a boat, an aircraft, a stadium,a computer, a remote audio device, a remote video device, a cell phone,a tree, a window, a LCD display, a cave, a tunnel, a yard, a lamppost,or a device or array of devices that illuminate an enclosure, or adevice that is used for edge or back-lighting (e.g., a backlight poster,signage, LCD displays), light bulbs, bulb replacements (e.g., forreplacing AC incandescent lights, low voltage lights, fluorescentlights, etc.), outdoor lighting, street lighting, security lighting,exterior residential lighting (wall mounts, post/column mounts), ceilingfixtures/wall sconces, under cabinet lighting, lamps (floor and/or tableand/or desk), landscape lighting, track lighting, task lighting,specialty lighting, ceiling fan lighting, archival/art display lighting,high vibration/impact lighting-work lights, etc., mirrors/vanitylighting, or any other light emitting devices. An illuminated area mayinclude at least one of the foregoing items. In certain embodiments,lighting devices as disclosed herein may be self-ballasted. In certainembodiments, a light emitting device may be embodied in a light bulb ora light fixture. In certain embodiments, a “lighting system” may includeone lighting device or multiple lighting devices. In preferredembodiments, a “solid state lighting device” is devoid of anyincandescent light emitting element. In certain embodiments, lightingdevices or light emitting apparatuses as disclosed herein may beself-ballasted. In certain embodiments, a light emitting apparatus maybe embodied in a light fixture.

Methods include illuminating an object, a space, an area, or anenvironment, utilizing one or more lighting devices or lighting systemsas disclosed herein. Subject matter herein also relates in certainembodiments to an illuminated enclosure (the volume of which can beilluminated uniformly or non-uniformly), comprising an enclosed spaceand at least one lighting device or light emitting apparatus asdisclosed herein, wherein at least one lighting device or light emittingapparatus illuminates at least a portion of the enclosure (uniformly ornon-uniformly).

Subject matter herein further relates to an illuminated area comprisingat least one item selected from among the group consisting of astructure, a swimming pool or spa, a room, a warehouse, an indicator, aroad, a parking lot, a vehicle, signage (e.g., road signs), a billboard,a ship, a toy, a mirror, a vessel, an electronic device, a boat, anaircraft, a stadium, a computer, a remote audio device, a remote videodevice, a cell phone, a tree, a window, a LCD display, a cave, a tunnel,a yard, a lamppost, etc., having mounted therein or thereon at least onelighting device or light emitting apparatus as described herein. Methodsinclude illuminating an object, a space, or an environment, utilizingone or more lighting devices or light emitting apparatuses as disclosedherein. In certain embodiments, a lighting apparatus as disclosed hereinincludes multiple groups of solid state light emitters (e.g., LEDs, withone or more LEDs optionally arranged to stimulate emissions of one ormore lumiphors) arranged in an array (e.g., a two-dimensional array).

In certain embodiments, control of one or more solid state light emittergroups or sets may be responsive to a control signal (optionallyincluding at least one sensor arranged to sense electrical, optical,and/or thermal properties and/or environmental conditions), a timer orclock signal, and/or at least one user input. One or more controlsignals may be provided to at least one current supply circuit. Invarious embodiments, current to different circuits or circuit portionsmay be pre-set, user-defined, or responsive to one or more inputs orother control parameters.

Various substrates may be used as mounting elements on which, in which,or over which multiple solid state light emitters (e.g., emitter chips)may be arranged or supported (e.g., mounted). Examples of suitablesubstrates include printed circuit boards (including but not limited tometal core printed circuit boards, flexible circuit boards, dielectriclaminates, and the like) having electrical traces arranged on one ormultiple surfaces thereof. A substrate, mounting plate, or other supportelement may include a printed circuit board (PCB), a metal core printedcircuit board (MCPCB), a flexible printed circuit board, a dielectriclaminate (e.g., FR-4 boards as known in the art) or any suitablesubstrate for mounting LED chips and/or LED packages.

In certain embodiments, one or more LED components can include one ormore “chip-on-board” (COB) LED chips and/or packaged LED chips that canbe electrically coupled or connected in series or parallel with oneanother and mounted on a portion of a substrate. In certain embodiments,COB LED chips can be mounted directly on portions of substrate withoutthe need for additional packaging.

Certain embodiments may involve use of solid state light emitterpackages. A solid state light emitter package may include at least onesolid state light emitter chip (more preferably multiple solid statelight emitter chips) that is enclosed with packaging elements to provideenvironmental protection, mechanical protection, color selection, and/orlight focusing utility, as well as electrical leads, contacts, and/ortraces enabling electrical connection to an external circuit. One ormore emitter chips may be arranged to stimulate one or more lumiphoricmaterials, which may be coated on, arranged over, or otherwise disposedin light receiving relationship to one or more solid state lightemitters. At least one lumiphoric material may be arranged to receiveemissions of at least some emitters of a plurality of solid state lightemitters and responsively emit lumiphor emissions. A lens and/orencapsulant material, optionally including lumiphoric material, may bedisposed over solid state light emitters, lumiphoric materials, and/orlumiphor-containing layers in a solid state light emitter package.

In certain embodiments, a solid state lighting device (e.g., package)may include a reflector cup defining a cavity, at least one solid statelight emitter arranged within the cavity, and encapsulant materialarranged within the cavity. In certain embodiments, at least one solidstate light emitter may be arranged over a substrate and at leastpartially surrounded by a boundary wall (optionally embodying at leastone dispensed dam material laterally spaced from the emitter(s)), withan encapsulant material arranged over the emitter(s) and in contact withthe at least one boundary wall.

Disclosed herein are lighting devices and lighting systems withadjustable operation of multiple independently controllable groups ofsolid state light emitters (e.g., LEDs) of different dominantwavelengths, wherein operation of the groups of solid state lightemitters is automatically adjusted by at least one processor of alighting device to provide desired illumination. In at least certainembodiments, operation of the groups of solid state light emitters issubject to being further affected by various sensors and/or user inputcommands. Operation of solid state light emitters or groups thereof maybe altered to adjust one or (preferably) multiple light outputparameters of aggregate emissions. Examples of light output parametersthat may be adjusted include: color point of aggregate emissions, CCT ofaggregate emissions, spectral content of aggregate emissions, brightnessor luminous flux of emissions, and operating time. In certainembodiments, a lighting device includes multiple independentlycontrollable emitters (or groups of solid state light emitters) havingdifferent color points. By altering proportion of current to differentemitters or emitter groups having different color points, operation of alighting device may be adjusted to adjust multiple lighting outputparameters, including production of aggregate emissions having a widerange of different colors points and/or CCT values. In certainembodiments, spectral content of aggregate emissions at a particularcolor point or CCT may be adjusted to alter saturation/vividness (e.g.,Qg) and/or melatonin suppression characteristics.

Multiple Independently Controllable Groups of Solid State Light Emitters

It is well known to adjust proportions of light output by threedifferently colored light sources (e.g., red, green, and blue) to permitadjustment of color point or CCT as well as aggregate flux (brightness).Once a desired color point or CCT of aggregate emissions is attained,however, the only parameter that can be adjusted is aggregate flux(brightness) without causing the color point to shift.

In certain embodiments, lighting devices as disclosed herein may includeat least five groups of solid state light emitters, wherein each groupis arranged to generate emissions comprising a dominant wavelength thatdiffers from a dominant wavelength of emissions generated by each othergroup, each group is independently controllable, and emissions generatedby each group are arranged to be combined to produce aggregate emissionsof the lighting device. In certain embodiments, at least five groups ofsolid state light emitters separately include red, green, shortwavelength blue, long wavelength blue (or cyan), and blue-shifted yellow(also referred to as “white”) emitters. In certain embodiments, at leastfive groups of solid state light emitters include: a first groupcomprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generateemissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 591 nm to 650nm, a second group comprising at least one solid state light emitterarranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range offrom 506 nm to 560 nm, a third group comprising at least one solid statelight emitter arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelengthin a range of from 390 nm to 460 nm, a fourth group comprising at leastone solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including apeak wavelength in a range of from 461 nm to 505 nm, and a fifth groupcomprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generateemissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 430 nm to 480nm and further arranged to stimulate emissions of a yellow- orgreen-emitting lumiphoric material arranged to generate emissionsincluding a peak wavelength in a range of from 530 nm to 590 nm.

As compared to devices that consist of only red, green, and blueemitters, the addition of BSY (or “white”) emitters permit more lumensto be generated at higher luminous efficacy for aggregate color pointsin the general vicinity of the white region of a chromaticity diagram.Shifting lumens from the red, green, and blue emitters to a BSY emitteralso permits the red, green, and blue emitters to be used to a greaterextent for tuning of light output parameters such as vividness (e.g.,relative gamut) and/or melatonin suppression effects.

Additionally, as compared to devices that consist of only a red, agreen, and a blue emitter, providing both a short wavelength blue and along wavelength blue (or cyan) solid state light emitter permitstunability to control melatonin suppression effects, to controlvividness, and/or enhance CRI. In certain embodiments, a shortwavelength blue solid state light emitter is arranged to generateemissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 390 nm to 460nm (with the 390 nm lower boundary optionally being replaced with 400nm, 410 nm, 420 nm, 430 nm or 440 nm in certain embodiments), and a longwavelength blue solid state light emitter is arranged to generateemissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 461 nm to 505nm (or in a subrange of from 470 nm to 489 nm, or in a subrange of from470 nm to 480 nm, or in a subrange of from 472 to 475 nm, or anothersubrange specified herein). A greater amount of lumens may be providedby a short wavelength blue if desired to increase vividness, whereas agreater amount of lumens may be provided by a longer wavelength blue ifdesired to increase melatonin suppression effects.

In certain embodiments, vividness (e.g., relative gamut) and/ormelatonin suppression effects may be altered without dramaticallychanging color point and/or luminous flux—thereby permitting vibrancy ofcolor of illuminated surfaces and objects to be adjusted, but in amanner whereby a viewer is not alerted (e.g., through perceptible changein color point or intensity) to the adjustment. Adjusting operation of alighting device to alter relative gamut may permit selectiveillumination of a space, an object, or a surface with enhanced vividnesslight.

In certain embodiments, increased saturation or vividness (including butnot limited to increased Qg) can be achieved or enhanced with the use oflong wavelength red LEDs. To consider the effect of red solid statelight emitter wavelengths on Qg, various “BSY+R” devices (each includinga blue LED arranged to stimulate a yellow or yellow-green phosphor, incombination with a supplemental red LED) were constructed. Six BSY+Rdevices each included a 450 nm dominant wavelength blue LED arranged tostimulate a 2:1 green:yellow mixture of LuAG/NYAG phosphors withaddition of a LED of a different dominant wavelength (namely, 605 nm,610 nm, 615 nm, 623 nm, 628 nm, and 633 nm). Such devices were comparedto a baseline 90 CRI Cree EZW XTE device embodying blue LEDs arranged topump a mixture of yellow and red phosphors. Chromaticity, gamut area,color rendering, and luminous efficacy characteristics of the sixdifferent types of BSY/G+R LED lighting devices were compared to thebaseline BS(Y+R) LED lighting device. Each device had a CCT near 3050K,and had a color point near the BBL (e.g., Duv of no greater than+/−0.00051). The baseline BS(Y+R) device exhibited a blue peakwavelength of 455 nm and a red peak wavelength of 618 nm. Each BSY/G+Rdevice exhibited a blue peak wavelength of 446 nm or 447 nm, and redpeak wavelengths of 612 nm, 619 nm, 623 nm, 627 nm, 642 nm, and 643 nm(corresponding to dominant red wavelengths of 605 nm, 610 nm, 615, nm,623 nm, a mix of 628 nm/633 nm, and 633 nm, respectively). Observationsincluded: Qg increased with increasing red peak wavelength; CRI Ra wasmaximized near a red peak wavelength of 619 nm and declinedsignificantly for longer red peak wavelengths; and CRI R9 was maximizednear a red peak wavelength of 623 nm, and then declined significantlyfor longer red peak wavelengths.

In certain embodiments, a plurality of groups of solid state lightemitters includes at least a sixth group of solid state light emitters.

In certain embodiments, at least six groups of solid state lightemitters include the following: a first group comprising at least onesolid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including apeak wavelength in a range of from 591 nm to 617 nm, a second groupcomprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generateemissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 506 nm to 560nm, a third group comprising at least one solid state light emitterarranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range offrom 390 nm to 460 nm, a fourth group comprising at least one solidstate light emitter arranged to generate emissions including a peakwavelength in a range of from 461 nm to 505 nm, a fifth group comprisingat least one solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissionsincluding a peak wavelength in a range of from 430 nm to 480 nm andfurther arranged to stimulate emissions of a yellow- or green-emittinglumiphoric material arranged to generate emissions including a peakwavelength in a range of from 530 nm to 590 nm, and a sixth groupcomprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generateemissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 618 nm to 650nm. The foregoing six groups of solid state light emitters includesgroups that may be described as (1) short wavelength red, (2)green/yellow, (3) short wavelength blue, (4) long wavelength blue (orcyan), (5) blue-shifted yellow (also referred to as ‘white’), and (6)long wavelength red. Generally, solid-state light sources (e.g., LEDs)having different dominant wavelengths in the red range generally declinein luminous efficacy with increasing dominant wavelength, such thatsignificantly more current may be required to generate the same numberof red lumens from a red LED having a long dominant wavelength in thered range than from a red LED having a shorter dominant wavelength.Thus, providing both a long wavelength red and a short wavelength redpermits a greater amount of long wavelength red light to be providedwhen increased vividness is required (but at the expense of luminousefficacy), and permits a greater amount of short wavelength red light tobe provided when increased saturation (vividness) is not required andthereby avoid a reduction of luminous efficacy.

In certain embodiments, additional tuning of aggregate light outputcharacteristics may be provided with addition of an independentlycontrollable green emitter group. In certain embodiments, at least sixgroups of solid state light emitters include: a first group comprisingat least one solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissionsincluding a peak wavelength in a range of from 591 nm to 650 nm, asecond group comprising at least one solid state light emitter arrangedto generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 506nm to 560 nm, a third group comprising at least one solid state lightemitter arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in arange of from 390 nm to 460 nm, a fourth group comprising at least onesolid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including apeak wavelength in a range of from 461 nm to 505 nm, a fifth groupcomprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generateemissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 430 nm to 480nm and further arranged to stimulate emissions of a yellow- orgreen-emitting lumiphoric material arranged to generate emissionsincluding a peak wavelength in a range of from 530 nm to 590 nm, and asixth group comprising at least one solid state light emitter arrangedto generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 510nm to 544 nm (e.g., such as may include a blue solid state light emitterarranged to stimulate emissions of a lumiphoric material to produce agreen output), wherein at least one of a peak wavelength and a fullwidth-half maximum intensity of emissions differs between the at leastone solid state light emitter of the sixth group and the at least onesolid state light emitter of the second group. The foregoing six groupsof solid state light emitters includes groups that may be described as(1) red, (2) green/yellow, (3) short wavelength blue, (4) longwavelength blue (or cyan), (5) blue-shifted yellow (also referred to as‘white’), and (6) green. If a lumiphor converted solid state lightemitter is used for the sixth group, then a saturated green color ispreferably provided by increasing the amount of lumiphoric material toensure the output of primarily phosphor-converted emissions). In certainembodiments, the sixth group may include a green LED devoid of alumiphoric material; however, lumiphor-converted emissions may bepreferred to promote enhanced luminous efficacy. Providing a sixthseparately controllable group of emitters including a green emitter(e.g., having a peak wavelength in a range of from 510 nm to 544 nm)that differs from a peak wavelength of the second group permits enhancetunability of various saturation or vividness characteristics ofaggregate emissions (e.g., GAI, Qg, or the like).

In certain embodiments, increased saturation (including but not limitedto increased Qg) can be achieved or enhanced with the use of relativelynarrow spectral output green lumiphors. Such increased saturation may beinstead of or in addition to a long wavelength LED as describedpreviously herein. In certain embodiments, a relatively narrow spectrumyellow or green lumiphor may include a peak wavelength preferably in arange of from 510 nm to 570 nm (or from 510 nm to 544 nm) and a fullwidth-half maximum (FWHM) intensity value of less than 90 nm, of lessthan 80 nm, of less than 75 nm, of less than 70 nm, or of less than 65nm. In certain embodiments, a narrow spectrum green lumiphor ispreferred. One example of a narrow spectral output green lumiphor isBOSE (BG201B) phosphor having a peak wavelength of about 526 nm and aFWHM intensity value of about 68, relative to a FWHM intensity value ofapproximately 100 for GAL535 (a LuAG-type green phosphor). Anotherexample of a narrow spectral output green lumiphor includes greenquantum dots, which are tiny particles or nanocrystals of light-emittingsemiconductor materials.

In certain embodiments wherein a lighting device includes a plurality ofseparately controllable groups of solid state light emitters, each groupincludes at least one solid state light emitter. In certain embodiments,each group includes at least two solid state light emitters havingsubstantially the same peak wavelength. For example, FIG. 4A shows fivegroups of LEDs G1 to G5, indicated as R (red), G (green), B (shortwavelength blue), W (white), and CY (cyan, or alternatively longwavelength blue), respectively. In certain embodiments, each groupincludes multiple solid state light emitters having a substantiallyidentical peak wavelength (e.g., within ±1%) and/or substantiallyidentical full width-half maximum spectral output (e.g., within ±8%,±5%, ±3%, ±2%, or ±1%). In certain embodiments, intra-group variation ofpeak wavelength at an operating temperature of 85° C. is within a rangeof less than about ±4 nm, or within a range of less than about ±3 nm, orwithin a range of less than about ±2 nm, or within a range of less thanabout ±1 nm. In certain embodiments, different groups may includedifferent numbers of solid state light emitters, or different groups mayinclude the same number of solid state light emitters.

In certain embodiments, a plurality of groups of solid state lightemitters is arranged in a two-dimensional array, such as (but notlimited to) with each emitter arranged on a single substrate or supportsurface, or with each emitter arranged on multiple substantiallycoplanar substrates or support surfaces. In other embodiments, subsetsof a plurality of group of emitters may be arranged on differentsubstrates or support surfaces that are non-coplanar relative to oneanother. In certain embodiments, when a plurality of groups of solidstate light emitters is supported by multiple different substrates orsupport surfaces (which may or may not be coplanar), each differentsubstrate or support surface preferably includes solid state lightemitters of at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five,or at least six different peak wavelengths. If multiple substrates orsupport surfaces are present, then by providing multiple solid statelight emitters having different peak wavelengths on multiple differentsubstrates or support surfaces, spatial differences in color uniformitymay be reduced. In certain embodiments, a lighting device includesmultiple substrates or support surfaces and a plurality of groups ofsolid state light emitters wherein different groups of solid state lightemitters have peak wavelengths that differ between the respectivegroups, and each substrate or support surface includes at least onesolid state light emitter of each group of the plurality of groups ofsolid state light emitters. In certain embodiments, a substrate orsupport surface can be provided in a small or large form factor in anydesired shape (e.g., square, rectangular round, non-square, non-round,symmetrical and/or asymmetrical).

FIG. 4B shows five groups of LEDs G1-G5, with the five groups G1-G5embodying red, green, short wavelength blue, white, and long wavelengthblue (or cyan) LEDs, respectively. LEDs of the various groups G1-G5 areinterspersed with one another to promote light mixing and are mounted ina two-dimensional array on a single substrate 6. The substrate 6 mayembody a printed circuit board coated with a diffusively reflectivematerial, and may include mounting holes 7. The first LED group G1includes three red LEDs arranged in a linear pattern, the second LEDgroup G2 includes four green LEDs arranged in a square pattern aroundthe red LEDs, the third LED group G3 includes two short wavelength blueLEDs arranged between respective green LEDs, the fourth LED group G4includes five white LEDs peripherally arranged around the red, green,and short wavelength blue LEDs, and the fifth LED group G5 includesthree long wavelength blue LEDs interspersed among the white LEDs andperipherally arranged around the red, green, and short wavelength blueLEDs.

In certain embodiments, a plurality of groups of solid state lightemitters may be used to affect melatonin suppression effects. As notedpreviously, FIG. 2 includes six data points along the visible lightportion of the melatonin action spectrum (a/k/a the melatonin affectingregion). By integrating the amount of light (milliwatts) within themelatonin action spectrum and dividing such value by the number ofphotopic lumens, a relative measure of melatonin suppression effects ofa particular light source can be obtained. A scaled relative measuredenoted “melatonin suppressing milliwatts per hundred lumens” may beobtained by dividing the photopic lumens by 100. The term “melatoninsuppressing milliwatts per hundred lumens” or the abbreviations“msm/100l” or “Mel mW/100 lumens” consistent with the foregoingcalculation method are used elsewhere in this application and theaccompanying figures. FIG. 5A is a table including values for themelatonin action spectrum (relative units) and correspondingwavelengths, while FIG. 5B is a line chart for melatonin action spectrumshowing the values depicted in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a table including CCT, CRI, and msm/100l values for variouslight sources. As shown in FIG. 6, an incandescent lamp provides a veryhigh CRI value (˜100) at full brightness, provides a relatively lowmsm/100l value (˜54) at such condition, but provides a much lowermsm/100l value (˜25) when dimmed significantly. A Cree TrueWhite® LEDCR6 (including a blue LED arranged to stimulate emission of a yellowphosphor in combination with a red LED) performs similarly to anincandescent lamp, providing a CRI value (˜93) and msm/100l value (˜46)at full brightness, with a reduced msm/100l value (˜27) when dimmedsignificantly. Generally increasing msm/100l values (provided inparentheses) are obtained from lighting apparatuses of the followingtypes: metal halide (72), tri-phosphor fluorescent (66), standardfluorescent (80), Cree cool white EasyWhite® LED including a blue LEDarranged to stimulate emissions of both yellow and red phosphors (90),sun on a white wall (120), daylight fluorescent (125), and blue sky(200). FIG. 6 is a plot of melatonin suppressing milliwatts per 100lumens versus CCT obtained by modeling a solid state light sourceincluding a blue LED arranged to stimulate emissions of a yellowlumiphor in combination with a red LED, showing increasing milliwattsper 100 lumens with increasing CCT. As is apparent from FIGS. 6 and 7,msm/100l values generally increase with increasing CCT, which is as tobe expected, since increasing CCT corresponds to increased blue content,and the melatonin response spectrum has a peak value in the longwavelength portion (460-480 nm) of the blue range. Although FIG. 6demonstrates that msm/100l values may be altered by substituting lightsources having different CCT values, individual light sources referencedin FIG. 6 are generally not capable of permitting adjustment of msm/100lvalues at a substantially constant CCT value.

In contrast to the lighting sources referenced in FIG. 6 or aconventional RGB light source, lighting devices according to variousembodiments herein including more than three (e.g., preferably at leastfive, or at least six) groups of solid state light emitters arranged toemit light of different peak wavelengths permit adjustment of msm/100lvalues at a substantially constant color point or CCT value. In certainembodiments, a lighting device may provide adjustable CCT output, andfurther provide adjustable msm/100l at different CCT values.

Consistent with the preceding discussion, in certain embodiments, atleast one processor of a lighting device is arranged to adjust,responsive to the at least one detector output signal and for a selectedcolor point or CCT of the aggregated emissions, at least one of (i)melatonin suppressing milliwatts per hundred lumens of the aggregateemissions and (ii) relative gamut of the aggregate emissions. In certainembodiments, such adjustments may be performed while maintainingaggregate emissions at or near a target color point or CCT value (and/orat or near a desired luminous flux), preferably while maintainingaggregate emissions above a desired threshold. In certain embodiments,at least one processor of a lighting device is configured (e.g.,responsive to a user command or steps of an instruction set oralgorithm) to perform at least one of the following adjustments (i) and(ii) while maintaining at least one (or more preferably both) of thefollowing conditions (iii) and (iv): (i) adjust melatonin suppressingmilliwatts per hundred lumens of the aggregate emissions by at least 10%(or at least 20%), and (ii) adjust relative gamut of the aggregateemissions by at least 8% (or at least 15%), (iii) maintain aggregateemission of the lighting device within four MacAdam ellipses of a targetCCT value, and (iv) maintain aggregate emissions of the lighting deviceat or above a color rendering index (CRI) value of at least 70. Incertain embodiments, the target CCT value is selected from the range offrom 2700K to 9000K.

Further details regarding adjustment of melatonin suppression effectsare disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,039,746, which is hereby incorporatedby reference herein.

Temporal Alteration of Light Output Parameters

In certain embodiments, a lighting device includes multipleindependently controllable emitters (or groups of solid state lightemitters) having different color points, thereby permitting adjustmentof various light output parameters. Examples of light output parametersthat may be adjusted include: color point of aggregate emissions, CCT ofaggregate emissions, spectral content of aggregate emissions, brightnessor luminous flux of emissions, and operating time.

In certain embodiments, a lighting device may be arranged to utilize atleast one operating instruction set or algorithm to automatically adjustone or more light output parameters at different hours of a calendarday. In certain embodiments, a lighting device knows the time of day andsets light output parameters (e.g., CCT and brightness) appropriately.In certain embodiments, such automatic adjustment may be responsive totime and/or to at least one signal indicative of an environmentalcondition. In certain embodiments, such automatic adjustment may besuspended or altered responsive to at least one user input signal, whichmay be received by at least one detector associated with a lightingdevice. In certain embodiments, an operating instruction set oralgorithm may be automatically updated taking into account one or moretemporal patterns of usage, which may be correlated to environmentalcondition information accumulated by and stored in memory of a lightingdevice.

In certain embodiments, an operating instruction set or algorithm to beexecuted by at least one processor of a lighting device permitsautomatic adjustment of one or more light output parameters at differenthours of a calendar day, and is configured to promote wellness byproviding output that promotes alertness in morning to afternoon hours,that promotes alertness and relaxation in mid-afternoon to eveninghours, that promotes relaxation and sleepiness in late evening tobedtime hours, and that does not interfere with sleeping and/or does notinterfere with night vision from midnight to dawn hours. FIG. 8 is atable identifying, for different times of day, ambient light, desiredaptitude, and possible artificial light intensity levels and CCT valuesthat may promote wellness when used with lighting devices and systemsaccording to one embodiment of the disclosure. It is known that exposureto light of high intensity and high CCT promotes alertness; accordingly,a lighting device may output high intensity emissions of a CCT in excessof 6000K from dawn to mid-morning to promote wakefulness. As the dayprogresses, the illumination tends to match the outdoor light. Asomewhat lower CCT (in a range of from 3500K to 5000K, or from 4000K to5000K) with sustained high intensity may be output from mid-day throughthe afternoon to promote alertness. Progressing into the evening, alighting device may output emissions of lower intensity and a lower(warmer) CCT (e.g., from 2000K to 3000K) with reduced blue spectralcontent to avoid melatonin suppression, and thereby promote relaxationprior to bedtime. In the middle of the night to dawn, a lighting devicemay output emissions of very low intensity and with a very low CCT(e.g., below 1500K) to avoid interference with sleep and avoid loss ofnight vision in case a person's sleep is interrupted. The precedingvariation in intensity and CCT is controlled using at least oneoperating instruction set or algorithm stored in memory of a lightingdevice.

FIG. 9 is an overlay plot of possible CCT values and luminous flux(brightness) values as a function of time of day that may promotewellness when used with lighting devices and systems according to atleast certain embodiments of the disclosure.

In certain embodiments, at least one operating instruction set oralgorithm may be altered or programmed by a user, such as by using oneor more user input elements. For example, a user that is required towork during evening hours and to sleep during daytime hours may seek toalter or create an operating instruction set or algorithm to outputemissions having a high intensity and a high CCT during evening hours topromote alertness while the user is working, with a transition to lowerintensity and lower CCT to a time allotted for the user to sleep. Incertain embodiments, a user may simply shift a schedule contained in apredefined operating instruction set by a selected number of hours,based on a selected wake-up time, a selected time to bed, and/or aselected period for work or other activity requiring alertness.

Utilization of Sensors

In certain embodiments, a lighting device or lighting system includes atleast one sensor arranged to receive or provide at least one signalindicative of one or more environmental conditions, and operation of thelighting device may be responsive to a signal received from at least onesensor. In certain embodiments, at least one environmental condition mayinclude any one or more of: humidity, air pressure, ambient sound, gasconcentration, presence or absence of gas, particulate concentration,presence or absence of particulates, temperature, cloud cover, outdoorambient temperature, outdoor ambient light level, outdoor CCT, presenceof precipitation, type of precipitation, UV index, solar radiationindex, moon phase, moonlight light level, presence of aurora, and chillfactor. In certain embodiments, at least one sensor arranged to receiveor provide at least one signal indicative of an environmental conditionmay include one or more of: an ambient light sensor, an image sensor, atemperature sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, aweather information receiver, a gas detector, and a particulatedetector.

In certain embodiments, a lighting device may utilize an output signalreceived from at least one sensor to compensate for presence, absence,intensity, and/or color point of natural ambient light.

In certain embodiments, a lighting device or lighting system includes,or is arranged in at least intermittent communication with, a lightsensor arranged to receive ambient light (e.g., daylight) or otherincident light. In certain embodiments, a light sensor may analyze orotherwise examine the spectral content of received light. In certainembodiments, such analysis or examination may include determining“naturalness” of received light (e.g., whether the received lightembodies or includes spectral content consistent with daylight, orwhether the received light is representative of artificial light). Incertain embodiments, one or more sensors and/or detectors may bearranged in or on a body structure of a lighting device thatadditionally contains multiple separately controllable groups of solidstate light emitters, and that preferably also contains a memory and atleast one processor. In certain embodiments, a lighting device mayadditionally or alternatively be arranged to communicate with one ormore remote sensors (or other remote input elements). Remote sensor(s)and/or remote input element(s) may be configured to communicate with oneor more lighting devices via wired or wireless (e.g., RF, ultrasound,infrared, modulated light) means. In certain embodiments, signals fromone or more remote sensors may be communicated to a lighting device viaone or more wide area or local area networks. In certain embodiments, aremote sensor may include a remote weather station or remote informationoutlet, and a lighting device may be configured to receive environmentalinformation from the weather station or information outlet via theInternet, a cellular network, or another wired and/or wireless network.

If provided, an ambient light sensor may take on differentconfigurations. In a first configuration, an ambient light sensor may beseparate from emitters of a lighting device and associated with controlcircuitry to facilitate monitoring of the ambient light characteristic.An ambient light sensor may be a specially configured light sensor oranother LED that is configured to generate a current indicative of theambient light characteristic in response to being exposed to the ambientlight. If a plurality of LEDs are driven with pulses of current, then anambient light characteristic may be monitored between any two pulses ofcurrent. Alternatively, one or more main LEDs may be used by controlcircuitry to monitor the ambient light characteristic, such as bymonitoring ambient light between any two pulses of LED drive current.

In certain embodiments, a lighting device or lighting system may includean image sensor arranged to periodically capture one or more images of asurface or environment proximate to a lighting device or arranged to beilluminated by the lighting device, whereby usage of one or morecaptured images may be used to affect operation of the lighting device.

In certain embodiments, a lighting device or lighting system may includea sound sensor (e.g., a microphone) arranged to receive one or moresounds, such as in a space arranged to be illuminated by a lightingdevice.

If provided, an occupancy sensor (e.g., based on receivedelectromagnetic radiation, light, sound, vibration, heat, or the like)may be used to determine a condition indicating presence or absence ofat least one person in an illuminated space. In certain embodiments,detection of a condition indicating that an illuminated space is notoccupied may be used to terminate or alter operation of a lightingdevice. In certain embodiments, a passive infrared sensor may be usedfor occupancy sensing.

The intensity and spectral output of the light emitted by electricallyactivated emitters (e.g., LEDs) may be affected by temperature. Incertain embodiments, a temperature sensor associated with a lightingdevice may be used to sense temperature of one or more emitters, andcurrent to the emitters may be controlled based on the sensedtemperature in an effort to compensate for temperature effects.

In certain embodiments, one or more temperature sensors may be arrangedon a lighting device or arranged remotely from a lighting device, andarranged to sense ambient temperature of an environment arranged to beilluminated by the lighting device. Ambient temperature apart from alighting device may provide an indication as to the brightness and/orcolor point of artificial light that may be appropriate for a given timeperiod. For example, a low temperature within an enclosed space subjectto being periodically occupied by people may provide an indication ofoccupancy of the space. If a low temperature is sensed, then that mayprovide any indication that the space is not occupied.

Utilization of Detectors

As noted previously, automatic adjustment of one or more light outputcharacteristics within a calendar day may be suspended or alteredresponsive to at least one user input signal (e.g., user commands),which may be received by at least one detector associated with alighting device. In certain embodiments, a detector may produce at leastone output signal, and operation of the lighting device may be suspendedor altered responsive to the at least one output signal. In certainembodiments, one or more sensors as mentioned herein may be used as adetector, and conversely one or more detectors as mentioned herein maybe used as a sensor.

In certain embodiments, a detector may be arranged to detect at leastone user-initiated (e.g., wired or wireless) signal. Such a signal maybe indicative of a user command. In certain embodiments, a detector mayinclude a radio frequency (RF) receiver or transceiver (e.g., Bluetooth,ZigBee, WiFi, or the like), a modulated light receiver, an infraredreceiver, or a sound receiver. In certain embodiments, a detector may bearranged to receive a signal (e.g., a wired or wireless signal) from adigital communication device or a digital computing device, such as amobile phone, a personal computer, or the like. In certain embodiments,a detector may be arranged to receive a wireless signal from a dedicatedremote controller or wireless communication hub. In certain embodiments,a detector may be arranged in or on a body structure of a lightingdevice.

In certain embodiments, a detector may be arranged to detect multipledifferent user-generated gesture patterns indicative of user commands.For example, a detector may include an image sensor including a field ofview arranged to image a user. Upon receipt of specific gesture patterns(e.g., arm waving in a back and forth motion, a circular motion, aspreading motion, a contracting motion, etc.), the image sensor maycompare such patterns against a predefined or user-defined gesturepattern set to determine if a match is identified, and responsivelygenerate a detector output signal indicative of at least one usercommand.

In certain embodiments, a detector may be arranged to detect multipledifferent user-generated sound patterns indicative of user commands. Forexample, a detector may include a microphone arranged to receiveclapping noises, snapping noises, vocalizations, and/or otheruser-generated sound patterns. Upon receipt of specific sound patterns(e.g., patterns of one or multiple claps within a specified time period,or specific words, or other sounds), received sounds may be processed(e.g., filtered, processed by a voice recognition, or the like) andcompared against a predefined or user-defined sound pattern set todetermine if a match is identified, and responsively generate a detectoroutput signal indicative of at least one user command.

In certain embodiments, reception by a processor of a detector outputsignal indicative of a user command will cause the processor to alter atleast one light output parameter. In certain embodiments, a lightingdevice may include memory arranged to store a log of received detectoroutput signals, and such log may be retrieved by a user or automaticallytransmitted to a user, such as may be useful for troubleshooting and/orenhancing accuracy of user input signal recognition. In certainembodiments, reception by a processor of a detector output signalindicative of a user command may also cause the lighting device toinitiate one or more actions to acknowledge receipt and/or content ofthe input signal, such as generating one or more sounds, initiating oneor more flashes, blinks, or different colored light patterns.

Examples of light output parameters that may be altered upon detectionof a user input signal include, but are not limited to the following:activating a lighting device, deactivating a lighting device, increasingor decreasing CCT, dimming a lighting device without CCT decay, dimminga lighting device with CCT decay, initiation or cessation of an enhancedvividness (or reduced vividness) mode, initiation or cessation of acolor changing cycle, initiation or cessation of a music-linked colorchanging mode, and selection of one or more previously defined operatingmodes.

FIGS. 10A-10B embody a table identifying event name, system status,action, time, CCT, and brightness settings for an algorithm includinginstructions for operating a lighting device or lighting systemaccording to one embodiment of the disclosure, wherein certain eventsenable light output parameters that may be altered upon detection of auser input signal. In the leftmost column of FIG. 10A, the first eventis Apply Power. If the clock of the lighting device has not yet beenset, then upon receipt of a signal (e.g., wall switch signal) applyingpower to the lighting device, solid state light emitters are turned on(i.e., the light is turned on) to attain a CCT of 3000K and a brightnesslevel of 800 lumens. Once the clock is set, then the Apply Powerfunction will automatically turn on the lighting device at sunrise at aCCT of 3000 and a brightness of 600. Operation of the lighting devicewill be automatically altered at different times of the day as shown inFIG. 10A (to generally increase CCT and brightness until a peak at 12:00PM (noon), followed by a general reduction of CCT and brightness tominimum values at 1:00 AM) unless such automatic operation is altered bya signal received from at least one sensor or by a detected signalindicative of a user input command. For example, the second event in theleftmost column of FIG. 10A is Occupancy, which is substantiallyidentical to the Apply Power event except that the light willautomatically turn off after 15 minutes if no movement is detected inthe vicinity of an occupancy sensor. However, if movement is detectedthereafter, then the light will turn on automatically and resumeoperation according to the schedule of the Apply Power event. The thirdevent in the leftmost column of FIG. 10A is the Sleep Command, whichwill cause the lighting device to reduce CCT (based on time of day), toreduce brightness by 80% (to a minimum value of 50), and then to turnoff the light after a predetermined time (e.g., 20 minutes).

Although stepwise variation in light output parameters from hour to houris depicted in FIG. 10A, it is to be appreciated that in certainembodiments variation in light output parameters may be more frequent,such as even on a substantially continuous basis.

FIG. 10B outlines various different clap command events and voicecommand events. The first clap command event in the leftmost column ofFIG. 10B is the Clap command, in which detection of a single clap whenthe light is on will cause the light to dim with a decay, therebyreducing CCT to match CCT value at half the current brightness indicatedin the Apply Power table, and reducing brightness by 50%. The secondclap command event in the leftmost column of FIG. 10B is the Double Clapcommand, in which detection of a double clap when the light is on willcause the light to dim to 0 without a decay, thereby reducing brightnessto 0 within 3 seconds. The third clap command event in the leftmostcolumn of FIG. 10B is the Clap command, in which detection of a singleclap when the light is off will cause the light to use the Apply Powerevent settings for brightness and CCT corresponding to the current time.The fourth clap command event in the leftmost column of FIG. 10B is theDouble Clap command, in which detection of a double clap when the lightis off will cause the light to be activated with brightness and powerrestored to the previous setting in use prior to deactivation.

The first voice command event in the leftmost column of FIG. 10B is theLights On command, in which detection of a vocalization signal (e.g.,speaking the words “Lights On”) will cause the light to apply to use theApply Power event settings for brightness and CCT corresponding to thecurrent time. The second voice command event in the leftmost column ofFIG. 10B is the Lights Off command, in which detection of a vocalizationsignal (e.g., speaking the words “Lights Off”) will cause the light toturn off. The third voice command event in the leftmost column of FIG.10B is the Lights Dim command, in which detection of a vocalizationsignal (e.g., speaking the words “Lights Dim”) will cause the light todim to half the brightness level in use at the time of receipt of thecommand. The fourth voice command event in the leftmost column of FIG.10B is the Lights Cool command, in which detection of a vocalizationsignal (e.g., speaking the words “Lights Cool”) will cause the light toincrease CCT to a next higher CCT value set in memory of the lightingdevice. The fifth voice command event in the leftmost column of FIG. 10Bis the Lights Warm command, in which detection of a vocalization signal(e.g., speaking the words “Lights Warm”) will cause the light todecrease CCT to a next lower CCT value set in memory of the lightingdevice. The sixth voice command event in the leftmost column of FIG. 10Bis the Lights Dance command, in which detection of a vocalization signal(e.g., speaking the words “Lights Dance”) will cause the light to select(or select a next) colorful mode in which operation of the lightingdevice will follow an ongoing sound (e.g., music) signal received by thelighting device. The preceding commands represent only a few potentialactions that could be implemented by a lighting device or lightingsystem according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Operation in Different Color Rendering/Vividness Modes and DifferentCCTs

In certain embodiments, a lighting device or lighting system asdisclosed herein may be operated in different modes configured toprovide different color rendering or vividness/saturation of theaggregate light. Tables and corresponding plots for four different modes(identified as “High CRI,” “Vibrant,” “Very Vibrant,” and “Dull”) ofoperation of a lighting device including five groups of LEDs (red,blue-shifted yellow, green, long wavelength blue or cyan, and shortwavelength blue) operated at multiple different CCT values are providedin FIGS. 11A-11B, FIGS. 12A-12B, FIGS. 13A-13B, and FIGS. 14A-14B,respectively. The tables of FIGS. 11A, 12A, 13A, and 14A each provideemitter control step (within a range of from 0 to 255), brightnesssetting, luminous efficacy, CRI, Qg, maximum lumens, GAI, and CQS forthe lighting device. FIG. 11A (High CRI) and FIG. 12A (Vibrant) includedata for sixteen different CCT values ranging from 1200K to 9412K,whereas FIG. 13A (Very Vibrant) includes data for ten different CCTvalues ranging from 2732K to 6525K, and FIG. 14A (Dull) includes datafor eleven different CCT values ranging from 3045K to 9307K. As shown inFIGS. 11A-11B (High CRI), all five groups of solid state light emitterswere operated at for all CCT values at or about 4000K. As shown in FIGS.12A-12B and FIGS. 13A-13B (Vibrant and Very Vibrant), long wavelengthblue emitters were not used at any CCT values, whereas FIGS. 14A-14Bshow that long wavelength blue emitters were not used at all, and greenemitters were only used at very elevated CCT values.

Communication with and Between Lighting Devices

In certain embodiments, lighting devices may be arranged to communicatewith other lighting devices and also with one or more sensors and userinput elements (e.g., a digital communication device or a digitalcomputing device), wherein multiple lighting devices in combination maywork together as a lighting system. FIG. 15 is a block diagram of alighting system 5 according to one embodiment of the disclosure in whichat least one lighting device is configured to bidirectionallycommunicate with at least one other lighting device as well as tocommunicate with a digital communication device or a digital computingdevice. The first lighting device 10A includes a controller module 30A,one or more sensors 40A, a user input element 15A, a communicationmodule 32A, a transceiver 18A, and one or more emitter groups 20A. Thesecond lighting device 10B includes a controller module 30B, one or moresensors 40B, a user input element 15B, a communication module 32B, atransceiver 18B, and one or more emitter groups 20B. In certainembodiments, one or more remote sensors 41 and one or more remote inputelements 17 may be arranged in at least intermittent communication withone or more of the lighting devices 10A, 10B.

Within each lighting device 10A, 10B, the respective emitter groups 20A,20B preferably include multiple groups of electrically activatedemitters, with different groups preferably arranged to output colorpoints that differ between groups. By altering proportion of current todifferent emitters having different color points, a lighting device maybe adjusted to produce aggregate emissions of a range of different colorpoints and/or CCTs, as well as different spectral content at selectedcolor points or CCTs. The controller module 30A, 30B of each lightingdevice 10A, 10B is arranged to drive emitters of emitter group(s) 20A,20B of the respective lighting device 10A, 10B. In certain embodiments,the controller module 30A, 30B provides the primary intelligence for therespective lighting device 10A, 10B, and may include or be associatedwith driver circuits capable of driving emitters of the emitter groups20A, 20B, in a desired fashion. Each controller module 30A, 30B may beembodied in a single, integrated module or divided into two or moresub-modules as desired. Each controller module 30A, 30B preferablyincludes at least one processor (e.g., microprocessor) and a memory.

When a controller module 30A, 30B provides the primary intelligence forits respective lighting device 10A, 10B, the communication module 32A,32B may act as an intelligent communication interface to facilitatecommunications between the controller module 30A, 30B and one or moreremote sensors 41 and/or one or more remote input elements 17. Theremote sensor(s) 41 and/or remote input element(s) 17 may be configuredto communicate with one or more lighting devices 10A, 10B in a wired orwireless fashion.

Alternatively, each controller module 30A, 30B may be primarilyconfigured to drive emitters of its respective emitter group(s) 20A, 20Bbased on instructions from the respective communication module 32A, 32B.In such an embodiment, the primary intelligence of each lighting device10A, 10B may be provided in the respective communication module 32A,32B, which may embody an overall control module with wired or wirelesscommunication capability. Each communication module 32A, 32B may includeor have associated therewith at least one transceiver 18A, 18B, whereineach transceiver 18A, 18B may be optionally replaced with separatetransmitter and receiver components. Each communication module 32A, 32Bmay facilitate the sharing of intelligence and signals among the variouslighting devices 10A, 10B and other entities.

In certain embodiments, the functions of the controller module 30A, 30Band a transceiver 18A, 18B may be integrated in a single module (e.g., aBluetooth microcontroller).

In certain embodiments, each communication module 32A, 32B may beimplemented on a printed circuit board (PCB) that is separate from acircuit board associated with the respective controller module 30A, 30B.In certain embodiments, communication between a communication module32A, 32B and a corresponding controller module 30A, 30B may be made viacables according to a desired communication interface, optionallyincluding one or more interface plugs. In certain embodiments, eachlighting device 10A, 10B may include a body structure, and thecontroller module 30A, 30B, communication module 32A, 32B, and emittergroup(s) 20A, 20B of the respective lighting device 10A, 10B may bearranged in or on the body structure.

In certain embodiments, each lighting device 10A, 10B may include onetransceiver arranged to permit communication between lighting devices10A, 10B, and may include another transceiver arranged to permitcommunication between a lighting device 10A, 10B and a remote inputelement 17 preferably in the form of a digital computing device or adigital communication device.

Device Embodiments Controlling at Least Five LED Groups

FIG. 16 is a block diagram identifying interconnections between variouselements of a lighting device 110 that is arranged to independentlycontrol five different groups of LEDs 161-165 according to oneembodiment of the disclosure. The lighting device 110 includes acontroller 130 (preferably embodied in a microcontroller or othermicroprocessor) that preferably includes an associated reprogrammablememory 131 that may be used to store one or multiple algorithms or otheremitter operating instruction sets. The controller 130 may also haveassociated therewith an external memory 128 such as an EEPROM. A realtime clock 134 (e.g., timekeeping chip) with an associated battery 135may contain a real-time clock/calendar and communicate with thecontroller 130. A power supply unit 112 provides AC-DC power conversionutility. First and second transceivers 120, 124 each having an antenna122, 126 may be arranged to separately communicate with (i) a digitalcommunication device or a digital computing device, and (ii) anotherlighting device, respectively. A microphone 144 and associated voicerecognition integrated circuit 145 may be used to receive user-generatedsound patterns and determine whether such patterns are indicative ofuser commands. The microphone 144 may additionally be used to receivemusic signals as a basis for operating the lighting device 110 in amusic-linked color changing mode. A passive infrared sensor module 140may be used to detect motion and thereby occupancy in an area proximateto the lighting device 110. A daylight sensor 141 may be used to receiveambient or incident light, and operation of the lighting device 110 maybe controlled responsive to a signal received from the daylight sensor141 such as to compensate for presence, absence, intensity, and/or colorpoint of ambient or incident light. The controller 130 is arranged tosend signals to five LED driver modules 151-155 that are configured togenerate a constant voltage and varying current signals for driving fiveLED groups 161-165.

In operation, the lighting device 110 is configured to receive orprovide at least one signal indicative of an environmental condition viathe daylight sensor 141. The memory 131 stores at least one algorithm oroperating instruction set. Various user commands may be received via thefirst transceiver module 120 or the microphone 144. The controller 130is configured to use at least one operating instruction set toautomatically adjust luminous flux and/or color point (or CCT) of theaggregate emissions at different hours of a calendar day, in response totime and/or a signal received from or provided by the daylight sensor141. Such adjustment is performed by controlling the LED driver modules151-155 connected to the LED groups 161-165 that in certain embodimentscollectively form a LED array 160. The controller 130 is configured tosuspend or alter automatic adjustment of (a) luminous flux of theaggregate emissions and (b) at least one of CCT and color point of theaggregate emissions, responsive to detection of a user command. Incertain embodiments, the controller 130 may be further configured toadjust at least one of (i) melatonin suppressing milliwatts per hundredlumens of the aggregate emissions and (ii) relative gamut of theaggregate emissions, for a selected color point or CCT of the aggregatedemissions of the lighting device 110.

FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram for various elements of a lighting devicearranged to independently control five different groups of LEDsaccording to one embodiment of the disclosure, with the circuit diagramincluding a processing/communication module and five driver modules.Various magnified portions of FIG. 17 are shown in FIGS. 17A-17G.

FIG. 17A is a magnified first portion of the circuit diagram of FIG. 17,including processing and communication module elements. As shown in FIG.17A, a microcontroller BT01 having an integrated Bluetooth 4.0 moduleserves as a processor, and includes an integrated reprogrammable memory.The microcontroller BT01 is arranged to receive current from a voltageregulator U6 (at upper right). Terminal blocks J3, J4, J6 may be usedfor receiving serial communications from one or more sensors ordetectors, and for serial communication with a programming orinterrogation interface. The microcontroller BT01 provides pulse widthmodulated output signals to five driver modules via pins 12, 13, and15-18.

FIGS. 17B-17F include magnified second through sixth portions of thecircuit diagram of FIG. 17, each including a driver module for driving adifferent group of LEDs shown in FIG. 17G. Each driver module receives18 VDC and receives a pulse width modulated (PWM_(—) signal from themicrocontroller BT01 (shown in FIG. 17A) to permit control of thecorresponding LED group, wherein FIG. 17G shows the five differentgroups (or strings) of LEDs—namely, short wavelength blue, red, cyan (orlong wavelength blue), green, and white.

FIG. 18A is a first portion of a circuit diagram, including processingand communication elements, of a lighting device arranged toindependently control five different groups of LEDs according to oneembodiment of the disclosure. A microcontroller U8 is in communicationwith a first Bluetooth wireless transceiver BT01 and a second Bluetoothwireless transceiver BT02. The microcontroller U8 is arranged to receiveinputs from sensors (including a dimmer sensor arranged to communicatewith microcontroller pin P34, and a passive infrared sensor arranged tocommunicate with microcontroller pin 36) via terminal block J3 (at lowercenter). The microcontroller U8 is further arranged to receiveprogramming inputs via a programming jack J10B (at lower center). Eachwireless transceiver BT01, BT02 shown in FIG. 18A includes acorresponding programming jack J6, J7.

FIG. 18B is a second portion of a circuit diagram including voicerecognition elements arranged to operate in conjunction with the circuitelements of FIG. 18A for control of the lighting device. FIG. 18B showsa voice recognition integrated circuit U7 (at center) arranged toreceive an input signal from a microphone MIC 1 (at upper right). FIG.18C is a third portion of a circuit diagram including multiple LEDdriver modules 151-155 arranged to operate in conjunction with thecircuit elements of FIGS. 18A-18B for control of LEDs (forming a LEDarray 160) of the lighting device.

FIG. 18D is a fourth portion of a circuit diagram including AC-DC powerconversion elements arranged to operate in conjunction with the circuitelements of FIGS. 18A-18C for control of the lighting device. Atransformer TRN01 and other elements are configured to output an 18 VDCsignal at terminals P27, P28 for use by groups of LEDs collectivelyforming the LED array 160 shown in FIG. 18C.

FIG. 19 is a table identifying emitter control step (within a range offrom 0 to 255), aggregate lumens, color rendering index (CRI), colorquality scale (CQS), relative gamut (Qg), gamut area index (GAI),luminous efficacy of radiation (LER), and CRI R9 for a lighting deviceaccording to one embodiment of the disclosure including five groups ofLEDs (red, green, long wavelength blue, white (BSY), an short wavelengthblue) operated at sixteen different CCT values according to aninstruction set arranged to simultaneously achieve high CRI (at least90) and high Qg (exceeding 100) for multiple CCT values spanning from2300K to 9300K. Aggregate lumens in a range of from 650-700 lumens wereobtained from 2700K to 9300K. Qg values of greater than 100 were alsoobtained for all CCT values in the range of from 1200K to 9300K. FIG. 19shows that a lighting device including at least five groups of solidstate light emitters as disclosed herein may produce aggregate emissionscomprising one, two, three, or all four of the following characteristics(A) to (D): (A) a CRI value of at least 90 and a Qg value of at least100 over a CCT range spanning at least from 2700K to 9000K; (B) a CRI R9value of at least 80 over a CCT range spanning at least from 2700K to9000K; (C) a luminous flux value of at least 600 over a CCT rangespanning at least from 2700K to 9000K; and (D) a luminous efficacy ofradiation value of at least 300 over a CCT range spanning at least from2700K to 5700K.

Prototype

FIG. 20A is a photograph of a LED module including five groups of LEDsarranged in a two-dimensional array and mounted to a substrate coatedwith a light-reflective material, with the LED module being mountedalong an outwardly-facing surface of a body portion of a lighting deviceembodied in a cylindrical downlight intended for in-ceiling mounting.The LED module is substantially similar to the layout shown in FIG. 4B,including groups of LEDs separately arranged to emit short wavelengthblue, red, long wavelength blue (or cyan), green, and white (orblue-shifted yellow) light.

FIG. 20B is a photograph of a first circuit board including drivermodules arranged for use with the LED module of the lighting device ofFIG. 20A, with the first circuit board arranged to be mounted along aninwardly facing surface of a body portion of the lighting device.

FIG. 20C is a photograph of a second circuit board including controlelements arranged for use with the first circuit board and the LEDmodule of FIGS. 20A-20B, with the second circuit board overlying thefirst circuit board.

FIG. 20D is a photograph of a lighting device including the LED module,body portion, first circuit board, and second circuit board depicted inFIGS. 20A-20C, with the lighting device being in a state of operationand emitting light.

FIG. 21A is a table providing control step (in a range of from 0-255), xcolor coordinate, y color coordinate, dominant wavelength, peakwavelength, center wavelength, CCT, full width-half maximum, radiantflux (Watts) per control step, lumens per control step, radiant flux(Watts), percent radiant flux, lumens, percent lumens, and luminousefficacy of radiation for a five groups of LEDs (red, blue-shiftedyellow, green, long wavelength blue or cyan, and short wavelength blue)of a lighting device with each group operated at maximum current.Aggregate emissions have a CCT of 7516K near the blackbody locus, asindicated by the duv value of −0.0135. FIG. 21B is an overlay plot ofspectral power distribution (intensity versus wavelength) for the fivegroups of LEDs of the lighting device of FIG. 21A when operated atmaximum current, with a plot of spectral power distribution foraggregate emissions of the lighting device.

FIG. 21C is a CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram showing the blackbody locus,overlaid with a line of minimum tint (or “white body line”), with firstthrough fifth color points corresponding to outputs of the five groupsof LEDs of the lighting device of FIGS. 21A-21B, and with a compositecolor point for aggregate emissions of the five groups of LEDs. As shownin FIG. 21C, the first through fifth color points are widely separated,thereby permitting a very large number (e.g., millions) of aggregatecolor points to be obtained. The aggregate color point is proximate tothe BBL with a CCT of 7516K.

FIG. 22 is an excerpt of a CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram showing theblackbody locus and including a line of minimum tint (or “white bodyline”) extending between CCT values of from 2700K to 6500K. Researchershave determined that a majority of people prefer sources of illuminationon “white body line” (WBL) more than those of the same CCT line ofblackbody radiation. (See, e.g., Rea, M. S. and Freyssinier, J. P.:White lighting for residential applications, Light Res. Tech., 45(3),pp. 331-344 (2013).) As shown in FIG. 2, at CCT values below about4000K, the WBL is below the blackbody curve, whereas at higher CCTvalues, the WBL is above the blackbody curve. In certain embodiments, alighting device as disclosed herein is configured to adjust aggregatedlight emissions of the solid state lighting device to move between atleast two color points, wherein at least a first color point of the atleast two color points embodies a combination of light exiting thelighting device that was emitted by the first electrically activatedsolid state light emitter and the second electrically activated solidstate light emitter that produces, in the absence of any additionallight, aggregated light emissions having (x, y) coordinates on a 1931CIE Chromaticity Diagram that define a point on or within 7 MacAdamellipses of a white body locus embodying a line including segmentsdefined by the following x, y coordinates on a 1931 CIE ChromaticityDiagram: (0.3114, 0.3386) to (0.3462, 0.3631), (0.3462, 0.3631) to(0.3777, 0.3790), (0.3777, 0.3790) to (0.3977, 0.3707), (0.3977, 0.3707)to (0.4211, 0.3713), and (0.4211, 0.3713) to (0.4437, 0.3808). In thismanner, color point may be adjusted (preferably on an automatic basis)along the WBL. Preferably, aggregated light emissions at the first andthe second color point additionally have a luminous efficacy of at least60 lumens per watt.

Lighting Device Configurations with Control Elements and MultipleEmitter Groups

Various types of lighting devices and systems are contemplated accordingto embodiments of the disclosure. Certain embodiments may be directed tolighting fixtures (including in-ceiling, recessed, pendant, track light,and surface mount varieties), light bulbs, street lamps, indoor lamps,outdoor lamps, desk lamps, floor-standing lamps, and so on.

In certain embodiments, multiple groups of solid state light emittersare arranged to produce aggregate emissions of a lighting device. Incertain embodiments, a solid state lighting device includes at least oneor multiple of the following features: a single reflector arranged toreflect at least a portion of emissions generated by each group of theplurality of groups of solid state light emitters; a single lensarranged to transmit at least a portion of emissions generated by eachgroup of the plurality of groups of solid state light emitters; a singlediffuser arranged to diffuse at least a portion of emissions generatedby each group of the plurality of groups of solid state light emitters;a single leadframe arranged to conduct electrical power to each group ofthe plurality of groups of solid state light emitters; a single circuitboard or mounting element supporting each group of the plurality ofgroups of solid state light emitters; a single heatsink arranged todissipate heat generated by each group of the plurality of groups ofsolid state light emitters; and a single optical cavity containing eachgroup of the plurality of groups of solid state light emitters.

FIGS. 23A-23D illustrate a lighting device according to one embodimentof the disclosure, embodied in a substantially cylindrical downlight 200intended for in-ceiling mounting and including multiple (e.g., five ormore) separately controllable groups of LEDs as part of a LED module 206(such as the module shown in FIG. 20A). The downlight 200 includes agenerally cylindrical base housing 201 and a heatsink housing 205 thatin combination form a body structure. Mounting elements 214 such asrotatable spring tabs are arranged along an upper surface 215 of thehousing 201. A cable 218 extends between the base housing 201 and anEdison (screw-type) male connector forming a threaded lateral contact212 and a foot contact 211. The base housing 201 defines an interiorvolume 202 containing printed circuit boards 203, 204 that includeoperative elements such a power converter, a controller module (e.g.,including at least one processor and a memory), one or more transceivers(e.g., wireless transceivers), LED driver modules, sensor modules,detectors, voice recognition circuitry, and the like. The heatsinkhousing 205 defines an inner cavity 209 that includes a reflectivesurface 201 and is further bounded by a light transmissive opticalelement 201 such as a lens and/or a diffuser. A trim bezel 213 isarranged proximate to an open end of the heatsink housing. The downlight200 may include any suitable features disclosed herein, and ispreferably arranged to execute any one or more functions and/or methodsteps described herein.

FIGS. 24A-24C illustrate a lighting device according to one embodimentof the disclosure embodied in a substantially cylindrical track lightfixture 220 intended to be supported by a wall- or ceiling-mounted track(not shown) and including multiple (e.g., five or more) separatelycontrollable groups of LEDs, which may be arranged in a LED module 226.The fixture track light fixture 220 includes a body structure 221, alight emitting end 223, a base end 235, a mounting bracket 236, wires238, a track connector 237, and electrical terminals 231. A base housingportion 222 preferably contains one or more circuit boards includingoperative elements such a power converter, a controller module (e.g.,including at least one processor and a memory), one or moretransceivers, LED driver modules, sensor modules, detectors, voicerecognition circuitry, and the like. The body structure 221 may includea heatsink portion 225 and contain a cavity 229 bounded by a reflectivesurface 228 that may be faceted. A light mixing chamber 224 may bearranged between a LED module 226 and a light transmissive opticalelement 230 (e.g., diffuser and/or lens) arranged between the mixingchamber 224 and the cavity 229. The track light 220 may include anysuitable features disclosed herein, and is preferably arranged toexecute any one or more functions and/or method steps described herein.

FIGS. 25A-25E illustrate a light bulb 240 including multiple (e.g., fiveor more) separately controllable groups of LEDs 247 arranged in atwo-dimensional array within a cavity bounded by a light transmissiveglobe or lens 250 according to one embodiment of the disclosure. TheLEDs 247 are arranged on a single substantially planar emitter supportsurface 246, which may be elevated by a pedestal 254. The light bulb 240includes a body structure 241 having an associated external heatsink245. An Edison (screw-type) connector including a threaded lateralcontact 252 and a foot contact 251 extend from one end of the bodystructure 241 opposing the globe 250. The body structure 241 defines aninterior volume 242 containing at least one printed circuit board 243that includes operative elements such a power converter, a controllermodule (e.g., including at least one processor and a memory), one ormore transceivers (e.g., wireless transceivers), LED driver modules,sensor modules, detectors, voice recognition circuitry, and the like.The light bulb 240 may include any suitable features disclosed herein,and is preferably arranged to execute any one or more functions and/ormethod steps described herein.

FIGS. 26A-26E illustrate a light bulb including multiple (e.g., five ormore) separately controllable groups of LEDs arranged on fivenon-coplanar emitter support surfaces according to one embodiment of thedisclosure. The LEDs 267A-267E are arranged on a five non-coplanaremitter support surface 266A-266E, which may be elevated relative to aheatsink 265 of the light bulb 260. Each emitter support surface266A-266E includes multiple LEDs 267A-267E. The light bulb 260 includesa body structure 261 having an associated external heatsink 265. Alight-transmissive globe or lens 270 is arranged to cover the LEDs267A-267E. An Edison (screw-type) connector including a threaded lateralcontact 272 and a foot contact 271 extend from one end of the bodystructure 261 opposing the globe 270. The body structure 261 defines aninterior volume 262 containing at least one printed circuit board 263that includes operative elements such a power converter, a controllermodule (e.g., including at least one processor and a memory), one ormore transceivers (e.g., wireless transceivers), LED driver modules,sensor modules, detectors, voice recognition circuitry, and the like.The light bulb 260 may include any suitable features disclosed herein,and is preferably arranged to execute any one or more functions and/ormethod steps described herein.

FIGS. 27A-27E illustrate a light bulb 280 including multiple (e.g., fiveor more) separately controllable groups of LEDs 287A-287F arranged onsix non-coplanar support surfaces 286A-286F each arranged generallyparallel to a longitudinal axis of the light bulb according to oneembodiment. The six non-coplanar emitter support surfaces 286A-286Fextend upward from a pedestal 284 and are elevated relative to aheatsink 285 of the light bulb 280. Each emitter support surface286A-286F includes multiple LEDs 287A-287F. The light bulb 280 includesa body structure 281 having an associated external heatsink 285.Although not shown, a light-transmissive globe or lens may be joined toa shoulder portion 289 of the heatsink 285 and arranged to cover theLEDs 287A-287F and emitter support surfaces 286A-286F. An Edison(screw-type) connector including a threaded lateral contact 292 and afoot contact 291 extend from one end of the body structure 281. The bodystructure 281 defines an interior volume 282 containing at least oneprinted circuit board 283 that includes operative elements such a powerconverter, a controller module (e.g., including at least one processorand a memory), one or more transceivers (e.g., wireless transceivers),LED driver modules, sensor modules, detectors, voice recognitioncircuitry, and the like. The light bulb 280 may include any suitablefeatures disclosed herein, and is preferably arranged to execute any oneor more functions and/or method steps described herein.

FIG. 28A provides a cross-sectional perspective view of a lightingdevice in the form of a troffer-based lighting fixture 310 according toone embodiment of the disclosure. This particular lighting fixture issubstantially similar to the CR and CS series of troffer-type lightingfixtures that are manufactured by Cree, Inc. of Durham, N.C. While thedisclosed lighting fixture 310 employs an indirect lightingconfiguration wherein light is initially emitted upward from a lightsource and then reflected downward, lighting devices including directlighting configurations are within the scope of the present disclosure.

In general, troffer-type lighting fixtures, such as the lighting fixture310, are designed to mount in, on, or from a ceiling, such as a dropceiling (not shown) of a commercial, educational, or governmentalfacility. As illustrated in FIG. 28A, the lighting fixture 310 includesa square or rectangular outer frame 312. A central portion of thelighting fixture 310 includes two rectangular lenses 314, which aregenerally transparent, translucent, or opaque. Reflectors 316 extendfrom the outer frame 312 to outer edges of the lenses 314. The lenses314 effectively extend between the innermost portions of the reflectors316 to an elongated heatsink 318, which abuts inside edges of the lenses314. An upwardly facing portion of the heatsink 318 provides a mountingstructure for an LED array 320, which supports one or more rows of LEDsoriented to primarily emit light upwards toward a concave cover 322. Thevolume bounded by the cover 322, the lenses 314, and the heatsink 318provides a mixing chamber 324. Light emanates upward from the LED array320 toward the cover 322 and is reflected downward through therespective lenses 314, as illustrated in FIG. 28A. Some light rays willreflect multiple times within the mixing chamber 324 and effectively mixwith other light rays, such that a desirably uniform light is emittedthrough the respective lenses 314.

As shown in FIG. 28B, an electronics housing 326 may be mounted at oneend of the lighting fixture 310 to house some or all electronics used topower and control the LED array 320. These electronics are coupled tothe LED array 320 through appropriate cabling 328. The electronicsprovided in the electronics housing 326 may be divided into a drivermodule 330 and a communication module 332. The communication module 332may communicate with one or more external devices such as a user inputelement 336 (which may optionally be embodied in a smartphone, tabletcomputer, a wireless remote controller, or the like), and one or moreother lighting devices (e.g., fixtures) 310A-310N. The communicationmodule 332 may be arranged in a secondary housing 334 that ismechanically coupleable to the electronics housing 326 to promotemodularity, upgradeability, and/or serviceability. The lighting fixture310 further includes a sensor module including one or more sensors, suchas occupancy sensors S_(O), ambient light sensors S_(A), temperaturesensors, sound sensors (microphones), image (still or video) sensors,and the like. In certain embodiments, one or more sensors may bearranged external to or remote from the lighting device 310.Additionally, one or more wired user input elements (not shown) mayoptionally be arranged in communication with the communication module332 and/or the driver module 330.

FIGS. 29A-29H illustrate a lighting device according to one embodimentof the disclosure, embodied in a track light fixture 400 intended to besupported by a wall- or ceiling-mounted track (not shown). The tracklight fixture 400 includes a light housing 410 coupled to a driver box401 via a pivot joint 413. A track adapter 405, which may be arranged topivot relative to the driver box 401, is positioned above the driver box401 and includes a protruding portion 406 with electrical contacts orterminals 408 configured to interface with, and receive electric currentfrom, a conventional wall- or ceiling-mounted track. The driver box 401may be formed of extruded metal or another suitable material, and isclosed with upper and lower end caps 402, 403, respectively. The driverbox 401 may contain one or more LED driver components 407 (as shown inFIG. 29H) such as circuit boards including operative elements such as apower converter, a controller module (e.g., including at least oneprocessor and a memory), one or more transceivers (e.g., wirelesstransceivers), LED driver modules, sensor modules, detectors, voicerecognition circuitry, and the like. The pivot joint 413 extends betweena side wall of the driver box 401 and a lateral portion of the lighthousing 410. The light housing 410 may be generally cylindrical in shape(e.g., with a slight reduction in diameter proximate to the upper edge411 thereof) with multiple longitudinally extending pin fins 414arranged proximate to an upper edge 411, and with a substantiallyconical reflector 416 and a bezel 415 arranged proximate to a lower edge412. In certain embodiments, the reflector 416 may be configured tooutput light emissions having a beam angle of less than 45 degrees. Incertain embodiments, the light housing 410 may be formed of metal (e.g.,aluminum) by die casting or another process known in the art.

As shown in FIGS. 29F and 29H, the reflector 416 and a diffuser lens 418are arranged within the light housing 410 to direct light to exit thehousing past the bezel 415 and the lower edge 412 of the light housing410. The diffuser lens 418 preferably eliminates presence of any visiblecolor bands in emissions output by the track light fixture 400, andpromotes emissions that are highly uniform in character. The reflector416 may be faceted and/or include any desirable surface features orpatterns to shape light emissions of the track light fixture 400. Asshown in FIG. 29H, the diffuser lens 418 is arranged to receive lightemissions from LEDs 420 supported by a control board 422 in conductivethermal communication with the pin fins 414, optionally by way of one ormore intermediately arranged heat spreading elements 419. The pin fins414 may be embodied in any suitable shape, such as cylinders, cones,elongated trapezoids, or the like, and optionally may be tapered incharacter. The LEDs 420 preferably include multiple groups (or strings)of LEDs of different output characteristics or colors (e.g., shortwavelength blue, red, cyan (or long wavelength blue), green, andwhite)). The control board 422 and the reflector 416 may both bearranged within a cavity 417 defined by an inner surface of the lighthousing 410. One or more LED driver components (not shown) may beoptionally arranged on the control board 422, and may cooperate with LEDdriver components 407 arranged in the driver box 401. As shown in FIG.29H, the pin fins 414 may be arranged within a central cavity defined inan upper portion of the light housing 410, such that heat can escapebetween and above the pin fins 414, but only an uppermost portion ofeach pin fin 414 is visible from a side view of the light housing 410(as shown in FIGS. 29D and 29G). The track light fixture 400 may includeany suitable features disclosed herein, and is preferably arranged toexecute any one or more functions and/or method steps described herein.

FIG. 30 is a line chart of lumens versus correlated color temperature(CCT) for emissions of a lighting device embodied in a track lightfixture according to FIGS. 29A-29H, including five different groups (orstrings) of LEDs (namely, short wavelength blue, red, cyan (or longwavelength blue), green, and white) when operated in a first (e.g.,“natural”) operating mode intended to promote high average ColorRendering Index (CRI Ra) values. A desirable minimum range of lumenvalues (e.g., from about 1800 to about 2200 lumens) is depicted by arange 3101 bounded by dashed horizontal lines. As shown in FIG. 30,lumen values are relatively constant for CCT values between about 2800Kand about 8500K, and lumen values within the desirable minimum range3101 are attained for CCT values of from about 2500K to at least about10,000K.

FIG. 31 is a line chart plotting each of relative gamut area (Qg),average Color Rendering Index (CRI Ra), and luminous efficacy (lumensper watt or LPW) versus correlated color temperature (CCT) for emissionsof a lighting device embodied in a track light fixture according toFIGS. 29A-29H, including five different groups (or strings) of LEDs(namely, short wavelength blue, red, cyan (or long wavelength blue),green, and white) when operated in the first (e.g., high average ColorRendering Index) operating mode described in connection with FIG. 30. Adesirable minimum range of Qg values (e.g., from about 100 to about 110)is depicted by a range 3202 bounded by a first pair of dashed horizontallines, a desirable minimum range of CRI Ra values (e.g., from about 90to 100) is depicted by a range 3203 bounded by a second pair of dashedhorizontal lines, and a desirable minimum range of lumens per wattvalues (e.g., from about 75 to about 83) is depicted by a range 3204bounded by a third pair of dashed horizontal lines. As shown in FIG. 31,high Qg values are obtained from low CCT light emissions and decline(e.g., in an asymptotic manner) to a relatively constant value ofbetween 100 and 110 for higher CCT light emissions. As further shown inFIG. 31, lower CRI Ra values are obtained at low CCT light emissions,and rise (e.g., in an asymptotic manner) to a relatively constant valueof between 90 and 100 for higher CCT light emissions. As additionallyshown in FIG. 31, luminous flux (lumens per watt or LPW) values peak (ata value of about 80 LPW) for light emissions with CCT values betweenabout 2400K and about 3300K, with lower LPW values obtained for lightemissions with CCT values below and above the foregoing CCT range.

FIG. 32 is a line chart plotting lumens versus correlated colortemperature (CCT) for emissions of a lighting device embodied in a tracklight fixture according to FIGS. 29A-29H, including five differentgroups (or strings) of LEDs (namely, short wavelength blue, red, cyan(or long wavelength blue), green, and white) when operated in a second(e.g., “vivid”) operating mode intended to promote enhanced Qg values. Adesirable minimum range of lumen values (e.g., from about 1800 to about2200 lumens) is depicted by a range 3301 bounded by dashed horizontallines. As shown in FIG. 32, lumen values peak for light emissions havinga CCT value of about 3200K, with lower lumen values obtained for lightemissions with CCT values below and above the foregoing CCT range.

FIG. 33 is a line chart plotting each of relative gamut area (Qg),average Color Rendering Index (CRI Ra), and luminous efficacy (lumensper watt) versus correlated color temperature for emissions of alighting device embodied in a track light fixture according to FIGS.29A-29H, including five different groups (or strings) of LEDs (namely,short wavelength blue, red, cyan (or long wavelength blue), green, andwhite) when operated in the second (enhanced Qg) operating modedescribed in conjunction with FIG. 32. A desirable minimum range ofenhanced Qg values (e.g., from about 115 to about 120) is depicted by arange 3402 bounded by a first pair of dashed horizontal lines, adesirable minimum range of CRI Ra values (e.g., from about 75 to about83) is depicted by a range 3403 bounded by a second pair of dashedhorizontal lines, and a desirable minimum range of lumens per wattvalues (e.g., from about 70 to about 80) is depicted by a range 3404bounded by a third pair of dashed horizontal lines. As shown in FIG. 33,higher Qg values are obtained for light emissions having CCT valuesabove and below about 2500K. As further shown in FIG. 33, CRI Ra valuespeak (at a value of about 80) for light emissions having a CCT value ofabout 2100K and are lower for light emissions having CCT values aboveand below about 2100K. As additionally shown in FIG. 33, luminous flux(lumens per watt or LPW) values peak (at a value of about 70 LPW) forlight emissions having a CCT value of about 2100K and are lower forlight emissions having CCT values above and below about 2100K.

FIG. 34 is a line chart plotting lumens versus correlated colortemperature for a lighting device embodied in a track light fixtureaccording to FIGS. 29A-29H according to three different operating modes,including a maximum possible brightness mode, a high average CRI Ra mode(with CRI Ra values of at least 95), and a high Qg mode (with Qg valuesof at least 120), with comparison of a lumen target specification and aminimum lumen specification. As shown in FIG. 34, maximum possiblelumens are obtained for light emissions with a CCT value of about 3800K.As between the high CRI Ra and high Qg operating modes, higher lumensare obtained for the high CRI Ra operating mode, with a local peak valueattained for light emissions having a CCT value of about 2800K, andanother slightly higher peak value attained for light emissions having aCCT value of about 8500K, with lumens declining for CCT values belowabout 2800K and above about 8500K. For the high Qg operating mode,maximum lumens are obtained for light emissions having a CCT value ofabout 3200K, with lower lumen values being obtained for light emissionshaving CCT values above or below 3200K. Desirable CCT values (e.g., fromabout 2725K to about 7500K) are depicted by a range 3505 bounded by apair of dashed vertical lines.

FIG. 35 is line chart plotting luminous efficacy (lumens per watt)versus correlated color temperature for a lighting device embodied in atrack light fixture according to FIGS. 29A-29H according to threedifferent operating modes, including a maximum possible brightness mode,a high average CRI Ra mode, and a high Qg mode, with comparison of alumen per watt target specification and a minimum lumen per wattspecification. As shown in FIG. 35, maximum possible luminous efficacyis obtained for light emissions with a CCT value of about 4200K, butmaximum possible lumen values are relatively constant for lightemissions having CCT values of from about 3500K to about 4500K. Asbetween the high CRI Ra and high Qg operating modes, higher luminousefficacy is obtained for the high CRI Ra operating mode, with maximumvalues attained for light emissions having CCT values in a range of fromabout 2500K to about 3200K, and lower luminous efficacy values attainedfor CCT values outside the foregoing range. For the high Qg operatingmode, maximum luminous efficacy is obtained for light emissions having aCCT value of about 2100K, with lower lumen values being obtained forlight emissions having CCT values above or below 2100K. Desirable CCTvalues (e.g., from about 2725K to about 7500K) are depicted by a range3605 bounded by a pair of dashed vertical lines. A desirable minimumluminous efficacy of about 60 lumens per watt is depicted by a dashedhorizontal line, with all high CRI Ra operating mode luminous efficacyvalues being above this threshold for the range of desirable CCT values,but only two high Qg operating mode values being at or above the 60lumen per watt threshold.

FIG. 36 is a line chart plotting lumens versus correlated colortemperature for emissions of a lighting device embodied in a track lightfixture according to FIGS. 29A-29H, including five different groups (orstrings) of LEDs (namely, short wavelength blue, red, cyan (or longwavelength blue), green, and white) when operated in a third (e.g.,“highly vivid”) operating mode intended to promote further enhanced Qgvalues. A desirable minimum range of lumen values (e.g., from about 1800to about 2200 lumens) is depicted by a range 3301 bounded by dashedhorizontal lines. As shown in FIG. 36, lumen values are highest forlight emissions having a CCT value of about 3700K and decline for lightemissions with CCT values above and below the foregoing CCT value.

FIG. 37 is a line chart plotting each of relative gamut area (Qg),average Color Rendering Index (CRI Ra), and luminous efficacy (lumensper watt) versus correlated color temperature for emissions of alighting device embodied in a track light fixture according to FIGS.29A-29H, including five different groups (or strings) of LEDs (namely,short wavelength blue, red, cyan (or long wavelength blue), green, andwhite) when operated in the third (highly vivid or further enhanced Qg)operating mode described in connection with FIG. 36. A desirable minimumrange of enhanced Qg values (e.g., from about 115 to about 120) isdepicted by a range 3802 bounded by a first pair of dashed horizontallines, a desirable minimum range of CRI Ra values (e.g., from about 75to about 85) is depicted by a range 3803 bounded by a second pair ofdashed horizontal lines, and a desirable minimum range of lumens perwatt values (e.g., from about 60 to about 80) is depicted by a range3804 bounded by a third pair of dashed horizontal lines. As shown inFIG. 37, Qg values are relatively constant for light emissions havingCCT values of from about 2500K to above 10,000K. As further shown inFIG. 37, CRI Ra values rise to a local peak (at a value of about 86) forlight emissions having a CCT value of about 3200K, then dip slightly(while remaining at or above about 82) and generally exhibit a slightincrease with increased CCT for light emissions having CCT values higherthan 3200K. As additionally shown in FIG. 33, luminous flux (lumens perwatt or LPW) values peak (at a value of about 76 LPW) for lightemissions having a CCT value of about 2100K, and are lower for lightemissions having CCT values above and below about 2100K.

The preceding line charts demonstrate that a lighting device withmultiple (e.g., five) LED groups or strings may be operated in a firstoperating mode providing emissions having high average color renderingindex values in combination with relatively high luminous flux values.The same lighting device may be operated in a second (“vivid”) operatingmode providing emissions with enhanced Qg values with reduced colorrendering, lumen output, and luminous efficacy values, and may beoperated in a third (“highly vivid”) operating mode providing emissionswith further enhanced Qg values with further reduced color rendering andluminous efficacy values. In certain lighting environments, thesereduced color rendering, lumen output, and luminous efficacy values maybe considered acceptable tradeoffs to obtain emissions with enhancedvividness. In certain embodiments, a combination of emitters maygenerate emissions with CRI Ra or Qg values that exceed minimumthresholds, and an operating mode may be adjusted to reduce or eliminate“excess” CRI Ra or Qg values to increase lumens and luminous efficacy.

In certain embodiments, a lighting device as disclosed herein mayinclude multiple preset and/or user-defined operating modes that may beselected by a user. In certain embodiments, multiple user-selectedoperating modes may provide aggregate emissions with similar orsubstantially the same brightness (e.g., total lumens).

Wireless Interfaces

FIG. 38A is a photograph of a portable digital communication devicedisplaying one screen of a “CREE Smart” user interface applicationarranged to control a lighting device as described herein according toone embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 38A, different groupsof solid state light emitters may be separately controlled by a user(e.g., via a slider bar, a dial, or other means) to permit adjustment ofvarious light output parameters. In certain embodiments, colorcoordinates for aggregate color point and/or individual source groupsmay be displayed to a user and/or logged.

FIG. 38B is a photograph of a portable digital communication devicedisplaying another screen of a “CREE Smart” user interface applicationarranged to control a lighting device as described herein according toone embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 38B, a user interfacemay include multiple predefined operating modes or operating instructionsets available for selection by a user. Additionally, a user may modifyor create various presets (e.g., algorithms, operating modes, oroperating instruction sets) and store such presets locally in a digitalcomputing or digital communication device, and/or store such presets ina memory associated with a lighting device. In certain embodiments, auser may retrieve one or more algorithms via a communication network,and communicate one or more algorithms to a memory of a lighting deviceto supplement or supplant one or more algorithms already stored inmemory.

Automatic Adjustment of Light Output Parameters Based on GeospatialPosition

In certain embodiments, lighting devices and/or lighting systems may bearranged to receive or determine information indicative of geospatial orgeographic location (and optionally additional information such as time,time zone, and/or date) and automatically adjust one or more lightoutput parameters based at least in part on such information to operateone or more electrically activated emitters differently on differentdays of a year. Light output parameters that may be adjusted accordingto certain embodiments include color point of emissions, colortemperature of emissions, spectral content of emissions, luminous fluxof emissions, and operating time. Spectral content of emissions that maybe adjusted include one or more of color rendering index (e.g., CRI Ra,CRI R9, or another value), vividness (e.g., relative gamut or gamut areaindex), and melatonin suppression characteristics for a selected colorpoint or CCT of aggregate emissions. In certain embodiments, a lightingsystem may include multiple lighting devices. In certain embodiments, alighting device may provide light of a brightness level and spectralcontent (e.g., color point and/or color temperature) appropriate for thelocation (and preferably also appropriate for the time of day, day ofweek, and season). In certain embodiments, a lighting device or lightingsystem may further be adjusted to compensate for presence, absence,intensity, and/or color point of natural ambient light.

In certain embodiments, adjustment of one or more light outputparameters based at least in part on geospatial position on differentdays of the year includes scheduled variation from week to week,variation from month to month, and/or variation from season to season.In certain embodiments, variation of light output parameters other thanmere variation between weekday and weekend operating states, andvariation of light output parameters other than semi-annual variation indaylight savings time, are contemplated. When the lighting deviceremains located at a given geospatial position, a base schedule foroperation of emitters of the lighting device may be reestablished orautomatically altered from day to day, from week to week, from month tomonth, or from season to season such that one or more electricallyactivated emitters are operated differently on different days of a year.

Various methods may be used for one or more lighting devices asdisclosed herein to determine geospatial position, date, and/or time. Incertain embodiments, a signal used by a lighting device or lightingsystem, and indicative of, or permitting derivation of, geospatialposition, is provided by at least one of a user input element, a signalreceiver, and one or more sensors. In certain embodiments, any one ormore of a user input element, a signal receiver, and one or more sensorsmay be arranged in, arranged on, or supported by a body structure of alighting device. In certain embodiments, any one or more of a user inputelement, a signal receiver, and one or more sensors may be physicallyseparated from a body structure containing emitters of a lightingdevice, but may be arranged in communication with a driver module of alighting device via wireless or wired communication.

In certain embodiments, a lighting device or lighting system includes,or is arranged in at least intermittent communication with, a globalpositioning system (GPS) receiver that is arranged to receive globalpositioning coordinates (e.g., latitude and/or longitude coordinates) orother information as indicative of geospatial position. A GPS receivermay also provide accurate time and date information useable by thelighting device or lighting system. In certain embodiments, a lightingdevice may be arranged to communicate with an electronic device thatincludes location sensing capability, and the lighting device may obtainlocation information (and/or date and time information) from theelectronic device. In certain embodiments, such an electronic device mayembody a smartphone or other portable digital device having integratedGPS, WiFi, and/or cellular communication capabilities that provide theportable digital device with location information, and such locationinformation may be communicated to a lighting device by either wirelessor wired means. In certain embodiments, a lighting device or lightingsystem includes, or is arranged in at least intermittent communicationwith, a signal receiver arranged to receive a signal and extract atleast one Internet Protocol (IP) address from one or more proximateIP-enabled servers, routers, or other devices in order to at leastapproximately determine geospatial position and/or time and dateinformation. In certain embodiments, a lighting device or lightingsystem may receive information indicative of, or permitting derivationof, geospatial position, as well as date and/or time information, byreception of broadcast radio and/or broadcast television signals. Incertain embodiments, a lighting device or lighting system may receiveinformation indicative of, or permitting derivation of, geospatialposition, as well as date and/or time information, via signals encodedon a power line. In certain embodiments, a lighting device or lightingsystem includes, or is arranged in at least intermittent communicationwith, a light sensor arranged to receive ambient light (e.g., daylight)in order to permit determination of geospatial position. In certainembodiments, a lighting device may receive and store an ambient lightsignal, and analyze such information gathered over time to determine (atleast approximate) geospatial position. In certain embodiments, anambient light (or daylight) sensor may enable calculation or estimationof geospatial position based on when natural light first appears,duration of presence of natural light, and how the light varies overtime (e.g., both intraday and in longer time scales such as from day today and from month to month).

In certain embodiments, a lighting device or lighting system includes atleast one signal transmitter and/or receiver, such as may be optionallyembodied in at least one transceiver. In certain embodiments, atransmitter and/or receiver may be arranged to transmit and/or receiveradio frequency signals.

In certain embodiments, a lighting device may communicate with one ormore other lighting devices such that the devices can share information.This may be useful when a first lighting device lacks a clear connectionto a desired GPS signal, user input, other external signal, or othersensory input, but when a second lighting device has a clear connectionto a GPS signal. In such an instance, the second lighting device mayreceive a signal from a GPS satellite, a user input device, a RFreceiver, or one or more sensors, and the second lighting device maytransmit the received information to the first lighting device to permitthe first lighting device to take appropriate action (e.g., updategeospatial position, update time/date, adjust base schedule, and/oradjust operating state). In certain embodiments, lighting devices maycommunicate with one another via signals encoded on a power line. Thus,via either wired or wireless communication, one lighting device maypropagate information to one or more other lighting devices, and theshared information may be used to automatically adjust one or more lightoutput parameters to cause the lighting devices to operate one or moreelectrically activated emitters differently on different days of a year.

As noted previously, one or more light output parameters of a lightingdevice may be adjusted at least in part based on information indicativeof geospatial or geographic location, and optionally additionalinformation such as time, time zone, and/or date. Examples of lightoutput parameters that may be adjusted include color point of emissions,color temperature of emissions, spectral content of emissions, intensityor luminous flux of emissions, and operating time. In certainembodiments, a lighting device includes multiple independentlycontrollable emitters (or groups of emitters) having different colorpoints. By altering proportion of current to different emitters havingdifferent color points, a lighting device may be adjusted to produceaggregate emissions of a range of different colors and/or colortemperatures. In certain embodiments, a base schedule for a lightingdevice may be configured to promote wellness by providing output thatpromotes alertness in morning to afternoon hours, that promotesalertness and relaxation in mid-afternoon to evening hours, thatpromotes relaxation and sleepiness in late evening to bedtime hours, andthat does not interfere with sleeping and/or does not interfere withnight vision from midnight to dawn hours.

In certain embodiments, a base schedule for operation of a lightingdevice or lighting system may be altered or programmed by a user, suchas by using one or more user input elements. For example, a user that isrequired to work during evening hours and to sleep during daytime hoursmay program a lighting device to output emissions having a highintensity and a high color temperature during evening hours to promotealertness while the user is working, with a transition to lowerintensity and lower color temperature to a time allotted for the user tosleep. In certain embodiments, a user may simply shift a base scheduleby a selected number of hours, based on a selected wake-up time, aselected bedtime, and/or a selected period for work or other activityrequiring alertness.

In certain embodiments, a lighting device may be configured to acceptuser inputs to initiate actions, to accept user inputs to adjustresponse of a lighting device to time of day, and/or accept user inputsto adjust response to an ambient lighting condition.

In certain embodiments, color temperature of a lighting device may besynchronized to local variation of ambient light color temperature withrespect to geographic location or geospatial position, time of day, andday of year. For example, a lighting device may emulate natural outdoorlight levels and color spectral content when it is dawn, dusk, andmidday, with such emulation matched to the geospatial position orgeographic location of the lighting device.

In other embodiments, a base schedule of a lighting device may bemodified, or an alternate base schedule may be selected, to mitigatesymptoms of seasonal affective disorder by providing increased intensityand/or color temperature of light during at least certain times of day.In certain embodiments, a lighting device may detect that it is locatedin a geographic location or geospatial position consistent withincreased incidence of seasonal affective disorder, and either prompt auser to select, or automatically initiate operation of, a base schedulesuitable to mitigate symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.

Further Devices and Methods

In certain embodiments, a solid state lighting device disclosed hereinmay include a reprogrammable memory arranged to store multipleselectable algorithms each including different instructions useable byat least one processor for controlling operation of multiple solid statelight emitters of the lighting device, wherein a communication interfaceis arranged to receive an additional algorithm for storage by the memoryto permit the at least one processor to execute steps of the additionalalgorithm for controlling operation of the lighting device. In oneembodiment, a user may obtain a new algorithm (e.g., retrieval via theInternet or other network), and then upload the new algorithm to alighting device.

In certain embodiments, the communication interface comprises a wirelessreceiver or transceiver, and the wireless receiver or transceiver isarranged to receive the additional algorithm wirelessly from a digitalcommunication device or a digital computing device. In certainembodiments, the lighting device comprises at least one transceiverarranged to communicate with at least one other solid state lightingdevice. In certain embodiments, a plurality of groups of solid statelight emitters are provided, wherein each group of solid state lightemitters is arranged to generate emissions comprising a dominantwavelength that differs from a dominant wavelength of emissionsgenerated by each other group of solid state light emitters, whereineach group of solid state light emitters is independently controllable,and wherein emissions generated by each group of solid state lightemitters are arranged to be combined to produce aggregate emissions ofthe lighting device.

In certain embodiments, at least one processor is arranged to utilize atleast one instruction set and/or to execute steps of at least onealgorithm of a plurality of selectable algorithms (or an additionalalgorithm) to automatically adjust at different hours of a calendar day(a) luminous flux of the aggregate emissions and (b) at least one of CCTand color point of the aggregate emissions. In certain embodiments, atleast one sensor is arranged to receive or provide at least one signalindicative of an environmental condition, wherein the at least oneprocessor is arranged to execute steps of at least one algorithm of aplurality of selectable algorithms or the additional algorithm toautomatically adjust at different hours of a calendar day (a) luminousflux of the aggregate emissions and (b) at least one of CCT and colorpoint of the aggregate emissions, responsive to at least one of (i) timeand (ii) the at least one signal indicative of an environmentalcondition. In certain embodiments, at least one sensor is arranged toreceive or provide at least one signal indicative of an environmentalcondition comprises one or more of: an ambient light sensor, an imagesensor, a temperature sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a humiditysensor, a weather information receiver, a gas detector, and aparticulate detector. In certain embodiments, at least one processor isarranged to execute steps of at least one algorithm of a plurality ofselectable algorithms or the additional algorithm to automaticallyadjust at different hours of a calendar day at least one of (c)melatonin suppressing milliwatts per hundred lumens of the aggregateemissions and (d) relative gamut of the aggregate emissions, for aselected color point or CCT of the aggregated emissions. In certainembodiments, the plurality of groups of solid state light emitterscomprises at least five groups of solid state light emitters. In certainembodiments, at least one detector is arranged to detect one or more of(i) multiple different user-generated sound patterns indicative of usercommands, (ii) multiple different user-generated gesture patternsindicative of user commands, and (iii) at least one user-initiated(e.g., wired or wireless) signal, and produce at least one detectoroutput signal responsive to such detection; wherein the at least oneprocessor is further arranged to suspend or alter automatic adjustmentof (a) luminous flux of the aggregate emissions and (b) at least one ofCCT and color point of the aggregate emissions, responsive to the atleast one detector output signal.

In certain embodiments, methods facilitating control of a lightingdevice involve automatic analysis of stored information regardingdetected usage of a lighting device, automatically analyzing the storedinformation to identify temporal patterns of usage, and generating amodified set of operating instructions to be used by a processor foroperating a lighting device.

In certain embodiments, a method facilitates control of a lightingdevice that comprises a memory and a plurality of groups of solid statelight emitters, wherein each group of solid state light emitters isarranged to generate emissions comprising a dominant wavelength thatdiffers from a dominant wavelength of emissions generated by each othergroup of solid state light emitters, each group of solid state lightemitters is independently controllable, and emissions generated by eachgroup of solid state light emitters are arranged to be combined toproduce aggregate emissions of the lighting device. The methodcomprises: detecting usage of the lighting device; storing, in thememory of the lighting device, information regarding detected usage ofthe lighting device, wherein the stored information includes informationindicative of color point and luminous flux of aggregate emissions withrespect to time; analyzing the stored information to identify one ormore temporal patterns of usage of the lighting device; generating aproposed operating instruction set responsive to the identification ofone or more temporal patterns of usage; and adjusting operation of theplurality of groups of solid state light emitters utilizing the proposedoperating instruction set. In certain embodiments, the analyzing,generating, and adjusting steps are performed by at least one processorof the lighting device. In certain embodiments, the lighting devicecomprises at least one sensor arranged to receive or provide at leastone signal indicative of an environmental condition. In certainembodiments, a method further comprises storing, in the memory of thelighting device, environmental condition information incorporating orderived from the at least one signal for time periods corresponding tothe detected usage of the lighting device. In certain embodiments, theanalyzing of the stored information to identify one or more temporalpatterns of usage of the lighting device includes analyzing informationregarding (i) detected usage of the lighting device and (ii)environmental condition information, wherein the one or more temporalpatterns of usage are correlated to the environmental conditioninformation. In certain embodiments, a proposed operating instructionset is arranged to operate the plurality of groups of solid state lightemitters responsive to at least one signal received or provided by theat least one sensor. In certain embodiments, a method further compriseseliciting approval by a user of the proposed operating instruction setprior to adjusting operation of the plurality of groups of solid statelight emitters utilizing the proposed operating instruction set. Incertain embodiments, at least one processor is arranged to adjust,responsive to the at least one detector output signal and for a selectedcolor point or CCT of the aggregated emissions, at least one of (c)melatonin suppressing milliwatts per hundred lumens of the aggregateemissions and (d) relative gamut of the aggregate emissions.

In one embodiment, a method facilitates control of a lighting devicethat comprises a body structure, a memory, a processor, and a pluralityof solid state light emitters, wherein the memory, the processor, andthe plurality of solid state light emitters are arranged in or on thebody structure; the memory is arranged to store a plurality ofselectable algorithms arranged to enable different control of operationthe plurality of solid state light emitters; the processor is arrangedto execute steps of at least one algorithm of the plurality ofselectable algorithms; and emissions generated by the solid state lightemitters are arranged to be combined to produce aggregate emissions ofthe lighting device. The method facilitating control of the lightingdevice comprises: downloading or retrieving from a communication networkan additional selectable algorithm arranged to enable control ofoperation of the plurality of solid state light emitters; and saving theadditional selectable algorithm in the memory of the lighting devicewhile maintaining in the memory at least one other selectable algorithm.In certain embodiments, the method further comprises utilizing at leastone detector associated with the lighting device to detect one or moreof (i) a user-generated sound pattern indicative of a user command, (ii)a user-generated gesture pattern indicative of a user command, and (iii)at least one user-initiated (e.g., wired or wireless) signal, andselecting the additional selectable algorithm saved in the memory of thelighting device responsive to said detection to initiate execution bythe processor of steps of the additionally selectable algorithm forcontrol of the lighting device.

Embodiments as disclosed herein may provide one or more of the followingbeneficial technical effects: enhancing controllability of emissions oflighting devices; enhancing vividness of colors represented by lightingdevices; enhancing control of melatonin suppression characteristics;enhancing flexibility in operating lighting devices; and simplifying theability to update operating instructions for lighting devices.

Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modificationsto the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. All suchimprovements and modifications are considered within the scope of theconcepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow. Variouscombinations and sub-combinations of the structures described herein arecontemplated and will be apparent to a skilled person having knowledgeof this disclosure. Any of the various features and elements asdisclosed herein may be combined with one or more other disclosedfeatures and elements unless indicated to the contrary herein.Correspondingly, the invention as hereinafter claimed is intended to bebroadly construed and interpreted, as including all such variations,modifications and alternative embodiments, within its scope andincluding equivalents of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A solid state lighting device comprising: a plurality of groups of solid state light emitters, wherein each group of solid state light emitters of the plurality of groups of solid state light emitters is arranged to generate emissions comprising a dominant wavelength that differs from a dominant wavelength of emissions generated by each other group of solid state light emitters, each group of solid state light emitters is independently controllable, and emissions generated by each group of solid state light emitters are arranged to be combined to produce aggregate emissions of the solid state lighting device; at least one sensor arranged to receive or provide at least one signal indicative of an environmental condition; a memory storing at least one operating instruction set; at least one detector arranged to detect one or more of (i) multiple different user-generated sound patterns indicative of user commands, or (ii) multiple different user-generated gesture patterns indicative of user commands, and to produce at least one detector output signal responsive to such detection; and at least one processor arranged to utilize the at least one operating instruction set to automatically adjust at different hours of a calendar day (a) luminous flux of the aggregate emissions and (b) at least one of correlated color temperature or color point of the aggregate emissions, responsive to at least one of (i) time or (ii) the at least one signal indicative of an environmental condition; wherein the at least one processor is further arranged to suspend or alter automatic adjustment of (a) luminous flux of the aggregate emissions or (b) at least one of correlated color temperature or color point of the aggregate emissions, responsive to the at least one detector output signal; and wherein the plurality of groups of solid state light emitters comprises: a first group comprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 591 nm to 650 nm; a second group comprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 506 nm to 560 nm; a third group comprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 390 nm to 460 nm; a fourth group comprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 461 nm to 505 nm; and a fifth group comprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 430 nm to 480 nm and further arranged to stimulate emissions of a yellow- or green-emitting lumiphoric material arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 530 nm to 590 nm.
 2. The solid state lighting device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is arranged to adjust, responsive to the at least one detector output signal and for a selected color point or correlated color temperature of the aggregate emissions, at least one of (c) melatonin suppressing milliwatts per hundred lumens of the aggregate emissions or (d) relative gamut of the aggregate emissions.
 3. The solid state lighting device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is arranged to utilize the at least one operating instruction set to automatically adjust at different hours of a calendar day at least one of (c) melatonin suppressing milliwatts per hundred lumens of the aggregate emissions or (d) relative gamut of the aggregate emissions, for a selected color point or correlated color temperature of the aggregate emissions.
 4. The solid state lighting device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor arranged to receive or provide at least one signal indicative of an environmental condition comprises one or more of: an ambient light sensor, an image sensor, a temperature sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, a weather information receiver, a gas detector, or a particulate detector.
 5. The solid state lighting device of claim 1, wherein the at least one detector comprises a first wireless transceiver arranged to receive at least one first signal from a digital communication device or a digital computing device to modify the at least one operating instruction set.
 6. The solid state lighting device of claim 5, further comprising a second wireless transceiver arranged to transmit at least one second signal to at least one other solid state lighting device, wherein the at least one second signal is indicative of or includes the at least one operating instruction set that was modified responsive to the at least one first signal.
 7. The solid state lighting device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of groups of solid state light emitters, the at least one sensor, the memory, the at least one detector, and the at least one processor are arranged in or on a single body structure.
 8. The solid state lighting device of claim 1, wherein the at least one environmental condition comprises at least one of humidity, air pressure, ambient sound, gas concentration, presence or absence of gas, particulate concentration, presence or absence of particulates, temperature, cloud cover, outdoor ambient temperature, outdoor ambient light level, outdoor correlated color temperature, presence of precipitation, type of precipitation, UV index, solar radiation index, moon phase, moonlight light level, presence of aurora, or chill factor.
 9. The solid state lighting device of claim 1, wherein the at least one detector is arranged to detect multiple different user-generated sound patterns indicative of user commands.
 10. A solid state lighting device comprising: a plurality of groups of solid state light emitters, wherein each group of solid state light emitters of the plurality of groups of solid state light emitters is arranged to generate emissions comprising a dominant wavelength that differs from a dominant wavelength of emissions generated by each other group of solid state light emitters, each group of solid state light emitters is independently controllable, emissions generated by each group of solid state light emitters are arranged to be combined to produce aggregate emissions of the solid state lighting device, and the plurality of groups of solid state light emitters includes at least five groups of solid state light emitters; at least one sensor arranged to receive or provide at least one signal indicative of an environmental condition; a memory storing at least one operating instruction set; and at least one processor arranged to utilize the at least one operating instruction set to automatically adjust at different hours of a calendar day (a) luminous flux of the aggregate emissions and (b) at least one of correlated color temperature or color point of the aggregate emissions, responsive to at least one of (i) time or (ii) the at least one signal indicative of an environmental condition; wherein the aggregate emissions generated by the solid state lighting device: comprise a color rendering index (CRI) value of at least 90 and a relative gamut (Qg) value of at least 100 over a correlated color temperature range spanning at least from 2700K to 9000K in combination with at least one of the following features (A) or (B): (A) a luminous flux value of at least 600 over a correlated color temperature range spanning at least from 2700K to 9000K; or (B) a luminous efficacy of radiation value of at least 300 over a correlated color temperature range spanning at least from 2700K to 5700K.
 11. The solid state lighting device of claim 10, wherein the at least five groups of solid state light emitters comprise: a first group comprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 591 nm to 650 nm; a second group comprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 506 nm to 560 nm; a third group comprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 390 nm to 460 nm; a fourth group comprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 461 nm to 505 nm; and a fifth group comprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 430 nm to 480 nm and further arranged to stimulate emissions of a yellow- or green-emitting lumiphoric material arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 530 nm to 590 nm.
 12. The solid state lighting device of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is arranged to utilize the at least one operating instruction set to automatically adjust at different hours of a calendar day at least one of (c) melatonin suppressing milliwatts per hundred lumens of the aggregate emissions or (d) relative gamut of the aggregate emissions, for a selected color point or correlated color temperature of the aggregate emissions.
 13. The solid state lighting device of claim 10, further comprising at least one detector arranged to detect one or more of (i) multiple different user-generated sound patterns indicative of user commands, (ii) multiple different user-generated gesture patterns indicative of user commands, or (iii) at least one user-initiated signal, and to produce at least one detector output signal responsive to such detection; wherein the at least one processor is further arranged to suspend or alter automatic adjustment of (a) luminous flux of the aggregate emissions and (b) at least one of correlated color temperature or color point of the aggregate emissions, responsive to the at least one detector output signal.
 14. The solid state lighting device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of groups of solid state light emitters, the at least one sensor, the memory, and the at least one processor are arranged in or on a single body structure.
 15. The solid state lighting device of claim 10, wherein the at least one sensor arranged to receive or provide at least one signal indicative of an environmental condition comprises one or more of: an ambient light sensor, an image sensor, a temperature sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, a weather information receiver, a gas detector, or a particulate detector.
 16. The solid state lighting device of claim 10, wherein the at least one environmental condition comprises at least one of humidity, air pressure, ambient sound, gas concentration, presence or absence of gas, particulate concentration, presence or absence of particulates, temperature, cloud cover, outdoor ambient temperature, outdoor ambient light level, outdoor correlated color temperature, presence of precipitation, type of precipitation, UV index, solar radiation index, moon phase, moonlight light level, presence of aurora, or chill factor.
 17. A solid state lighting device comprising: a plurality of groups of solid state light emitters, wherein each group of solid state light emitters of the plurality of groups of solid state light emitters is arranged to generate emissions comprising a dominant wavelength that differs from a dominant wavelength of emissions generated by each other group of solid state light emitters, each group of solid state light emitters is independently controllable, emissions generated by each group of solid state light emitters are arranged to be combined to produce aggregate emissions of the solid state lighting device, and the plurality of groups of solid state light emitters includes at least five groups of solid state light emitters; a memory storing at least one operating instruction set; at least one processor arranged to utilize the at least one operating instruction set to automatically adjust (a) luminous flux of the aggregate emissions and (b) at least one of correlated color temperature or color point of the aggregate emissions; and a first wireless transceiver arranged to receive at least one first signal from a digital communication device or a digital computing device; wherein the at least one processor is arranged to adjust, responsive to the received at least one first signal and for a selected color point or correlated color temperature of the aggregate emissions, at least one of (c) melatonin suppressing milliwatts per hundred lumens of the aggregate emissions or (d) relative gamut of the aggregate emissions.
 18. The solid state lighting device of claim 17, wherein the at least one processor is arranged to perform at least one of the following adjustments (i) or (ii) while maintaining at least one of the following conditions (iii) or (iv): (i) adjust melatonin suppressing milliwatts per hundred lumens of the aggregate emissions by at least 10%, (ii) adjust relative gamut of the aggregate emissions by at least 8%, (iii) maintain aggregate emissions of the solid state lighting device within four MacAdam ellipses of a target correlated color temperature value, (iv) maintain aggregate emissions of the solid state lighting device at or above a color rendering index (CRI) value of at least
 70. 19. The solid state lighting device of claim 17, wherein the at least five groups of solid state light emitters comprise: a first group comprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 591 nm to 650 nm; a second group comprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 506 nm to 560 nm; a third group comprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 390 nm to 460 nm; a fourth group comprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 461 nm to 505 nm; and a fifth group comprising at least one solid state light emitter arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 430 nm to 480 nm and further arranged to stimulate emissions of a yellow- or green-emitting lumiphoric material arranged to generate emissions including a peak wavelength in a range of from 530 nm to 590 nm.
 20. The solid state lighting device of claim 17, wherein the aggregate emissions generated by the solid state lighting device comprise at least one of the following characteristics (A) to (D): (A) a color rendering index (CRI) value of at least 90 and a relative gamut (Qg) value of at least 100 over a correlated color temperature range spanning at least from 2700K to 9000K; (B) a color rendering index R9 value of at least 80 over a correlated color temperature range spanning at least from 2700K to 9000K; (C) a luminous flux value of at least 600 over a correlated color temperature range spanning at least from 2700K to 9000K; or (D) a luminous efficacy of radiation value of at least 300 over a correlated color temperature range spanning at least from 2700K to 5700K.
 21. The solid state lighting device of claim 17, further comprising at least one detector arranged to detect one or more of (i) multiple different user-generated sound patterns indicative of user commands, (ii) multiple different user-generated gesture patterns indicative of user commands, or (iii) at least one user-initiated signal, and to produce at least one detector output signal responsive to such detection; wherein the at least one processor is further arranged to suspend or alter automatic adjustment of (a) luminous flux of the aggregate emissions and (b) at least one of correlated color temperature or color point of the aggregate emissions, responsive to the at least one detector output signal.
 22. The solid state lighting device of claim 17, further comprising a second wireless transceiver arranged to transmit at least one second signal to at least one other solid state lighting device, wherein the at least one second signal is indicative of or includes a signal produced by the at least one processor responsive to receipt of the at least one first signal.
 23. The solid state lighting device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of groups of solid state light emitters, the memory, the at least one processor, and the first wireless transceiver are arranged in or on a single body structure.
 24. The solid state lighting device of claim 17, further comprising at least one sensor arranged to receive or provide at least one signal indicative of an environmental condition, wherein the at least one processor is further arranged to adjust to automatically adjust at different hours of a calendar day (a) luminous flux of the aggregate emissions and (b) at least one of correlated color temperature or color point of the aggregate emissions, responsive to at least one of (i) time or (ii) the at least one signal indicative of an environmental condition.
 25. The solid state lighting device of claim 24, wherein the at least one environmental condition comprises at least one of humidity, air pressure, ambient sound, gas concentration, presence or absence of gas, particulate concentration, presence or absence of particulates, temperature, cloud cover, outdoor ambient temperature, outdoor ambient light level, outdoor correlated color temperature, presence of precipitation, type of precipitation, UV index, solar radiation index, moon phase, moonlight light level, presence of aurora, or chill factor. 